PRO-PALESTINE PROTESTS ESCALATE AS COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY NEGOTIATIONS STALL
NEW DELHI: Columbia University students who have been leading pro-Palestinian demonstrations across the nation on Friday said that they have reached an impasse with administrators, vowing to continue their encampment until their demands are met. The announcement came after two days of intense negotiations and amid harsh criticism from faculty towards Columbia's president over the use of police against demonstrators, a sentiment echoed at several other universities where fierce clashes, injuries, and hundreds of arrests have occurred.
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Amidst escalating casualties in the Gaza war and worsening humanitarian conditions, protesters at universities across the United States are urging institutions to cut financial ties with Israel and divest from companies they believe support the conflict. Over 34,356 deaths have been reported in the Gaza Strip during the more than six months of fighting between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run region. Some Jewish students, however, claim that the protests have crossed the line into anti-semitism, making them feel unsafe on campus, prompting some of the more aggressive responses from authorities.
An Israeli civilian was killed on Friday when an Israeli military convoy was targeted by anti-tank missiles and artillery shells launched by Lebanon's extremist Hezbollah organization in a disputed border area. Both the group and Israel's military confirmed this. Hezbollah said that just before midnight on Thursday, two trucks in the convoy were destroyed by its militants ambushing them. According to the Israeli military, an Israeli citizen working on infrastructure was injured in the attack and subsequently succumbed to his wounds.
READ ALSO: Anger spikes at US universities as Gaza protests intensify
At Columbia, student negotiators representing the encampment reported progress on demands for more transparent financial disclosures but said the university had not met their primary demand for divestment. "We will not rest until Columbia divests," said Jonathan Ben-Menachem, a fourth-year doctoral student. Meanwhile, Columbia 's president, Minouche Shafik, faced a significant but largely symbolic rebuke from faculty, with a university senate report finding that her administration's actions had "harmed Columbia University."
Protests and clashes have also occurred at other universities across the country. At California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, protesters barricaded themselves inside a building for the fifth day, while at Arizona State University, protesters pitched tents and at least one person was handcuffed and taken away. Police clashed with protesters at Indiana University, Bloomington, and Ohio State, resulting in dozens of arrests.
Dangerous, appalling statements: White House
The White House has strongly denounced the "appalling and dangerous" remarks made by a student leader of the pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University, as reported by The Hill. Deputy press secretary Andrew Bates issued a statement on Friday, condemning the student's advocacy for violence against Jews as "hideous" and a cause for alarm.
Bates emphasized President Biden's unwavering stance against violent rhetoric, hate speech, and antisemitic remarks, stating that such behavior has no place in America.
"These dangerous, appalling statements turn the stomach and should serve as a wakeup call. It is hideous to advocate for the murder of Jews," said Bates in a statement.
The university spokesperson also condemned calls for violence and targeted statements based on religious, ethnic, or national identity, deeming them unacceptable and in violation of university policy.
The controversy stems from a video recorded in January, in which student leader Khymani James was heard saying, "Zionists don't deserve to live" and expressing gratitude for not "just going out and murdering Zionists," according to The Hill. These remarks coincided with a meeting James had with school administrators regarding a social media post about battling a Zionist, in which he stated, "I don't fight to injure or for there to be a winner or a loser, I fight to kill."
On Friday, James expressed regret for his remarks in a social media post, acknowledging that they were "wrong." The incident comes amidst ongoing demonstrations at major American universities, fueled by pro-Palestinian sentiments. House speaker Mike Johnson called for the resignation of Columbia University's president if she cannot restore calm on campus, as reported by CNN. Protesters at Columbia University demand the severance of ties with Israeli academic institutions and complete divestment from entities linked to Israel in light of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
(With inputs from agencies)