TENSIONS FLARE AT US UNIVERSITIES OVER PRO-PALESTINIAN PROTESTS: MANY ARRESTED, COLUMBIA MOVES CLASSES ONLINE

Protests on prestigious US college campuses like Yale, New York University, and Columbia University have intensified amid the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. These demonstrations have prompted significant police intervention and drastic administrative measures, including the cancellation of in-person classes at Columbia, as institutions grapple with escalating campus unrest.

Driving the news

• At Yale University and NYU, law enforcement arrested numerous demonstrators after protests demanding divestment from military weapons manufacturers blocked traffic and defied university mandates.
• At Columbia, tensions reached a peak with the establishment of a "Gaza Solidarity Encampment" on campus, leading to over a hundred arrests after protesters refused to dismantle their setup.
• Several students at Columbia and its sister school, Barnard College, said they were suspended for taking part in last week’s protests, including Barnard student Isra Hirsi, the daughter of Democratic US Rep. Ilhan Omar.
• Besides the protests at Ivy League universities, pro-Palestinian camps have emerged at other institutions such as the University of Michigan, New York University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

• The growing frequency and intensity of these protests reflect deeper global political tensions and pose serious questions about academic freedom, university governance, and the ethical implications of institutional investments.
• The ongoing demonstrations have created a divide among the student body, with those supporting the Palestinian cause insisting that their educational institutions denounce Israel's military actions in Gaza and withdraw investments from corporations that supply arms to Israel.
• On the other hand, a number of Jewish students argue that a significant portion of the condemnation directed at Israel has crossed the line into antisemitism, causing them to feel vulnerable on campus. They also emphasize the fact that "Hamas is still holding hostages taken during the group's October 7 invasion."
• The situation has led to heightened tensions and a polarized atmosphere within the academic community, as students grapple with the complex and emotionally charged issues surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The divergent perspectives and demands have made it challenging for universities to navigate the situation and address the concerns of all students involved.
• The reactions from university administrations may set precedents for how educational institutions nationwide handle protest actions and express solidarity or opposition to international issues.

• Columbia student Noah Lederman told CNN he was “terrified, angry, upset, and horrified that the university failed to take action.” Lederman reported that he had been confronted in early February and had requested remote learning alternatives from the university. “What’s happening on campus is blatantly antisemitic,” he added.
• "Even in recent days, we've seen harassment and calls for violence against Jews," US President Joe Biden said. "This blatant antisemitism is reprehensible and dangerous – and it has absolutely no place on college campuses, or anywhere in our country."
• Columbia's president, Nemat Minouche Shafik, articulated a need for a "reset" in the university's approach to managing protests, stressing the importance of deescalating the hostile environment.
• Robert Kraft, a significant benefactor of Columbia University and the Jewish owner of the New England Patriots, expressed his dissatisfaction with the institution's efforts to safeguard Jewish students. In a statement, Kraft, who has contributed millions to Columbia, warned that he would cease future donations, asserting, "I am not comfortable supporting the university until corrective action is taken."
• Student protestors argue that their actions are justified as expressions of political solidarity and necessary provocations for institutional change concerning human rights.

• Amidst heated disputes between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel factions at Columbia, law enforcement has received accounts of Israeli students having their flags forcibly taken from them. However, according to Tarik Shappard, the chief police spokesperson, there have been no reports "of any physical harm against any student," as stated during a press conference.
• The dynamics at play are not just about the protests themselves but also about the broader societal divisions they represent.
• The university campuses, often seen as microcosms of larger societal debates, are at the forefront of a deep and complex discussion about international conflict, human rights, and the role of education in shaping political consciousness.

The continuation of these protests, alongside administrative and police responses, is likely to influence not only campus policies but also broader discussions on civil liberties and the role of higher education institutions in political debates.

Additionally, the fallout may impact university relationships with donors and alumni, as evidenced by Robert Kraft's explicit dissatisfaction with Columbia's handling of the situation, threatening a significant financial repercussion.

(With inputs from agencies)