US University Anger Escalates Amid Intensifying Gaza Protests

Pro-Palestinian protesters have occupied Columbia University in New York, as part of a larger wave of protests at prestigious universities across the United States. The demonstrations are fueled by anger over the Israel-Hamas war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with organizers at Columbia calling for the university to divest from companies profiting from Israeli policies in Palestine. Amidst the protests, concerns have been raised about anti-Semitic incidents and the impact on campus safety. University officials at Columbia have acknowledged these concerns and are engaging with demonstrators.

However, some Jewish students have expressed feeling silenced and unsafe on campus, while professors have pushed back against the university’s response to the protests. The protests have also spread to the West Coast, where California State Polytechnic University closed due to pro-Palestinian demonstrators occupying an administrative building. The demonstrations have garnered national attention, with US President Joe Biden and his administration expressing concern over anti-Semitic hate on college campuses. These protests have not been limited to Columbia University, with demonstrations also occurring at NYU, MIT, the University of Michigan, UC Berkeley, and Yale.

The widespread impact of these protests has drawn major media and political scrutiny. Overall, the protests reflect the deep divisions and tensions surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict and the broader Palestinian cause, as well as the challenges faced by universities in addressing such contentious issues within their campuses.