Protests Erupt at Yale University Over War in Gaza
NEW YORK — A wave of protests against the war in Gaza has led to dozens of arrests at Yale University, sparking demonstrations that are shaking US campuses to their core.
Defying orders to disperse, protesters occupying a square at the Ivy League institution were taken into custody, as reported by the BBC.
Meanwhile, Columbia University students have been instructed to attend classes virtually following the arrest of over 100 individuals during recent protests on campus.
The White House has condemned alleged incidents of antisemitism at Columbia, raising concerns about the safety of Jewish students across the nation.
Since the Hamas attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, heated debates and conflicts over the Middle East and free speech have ignited on college campuses, escalating tensions at major universities.
Protest “encampments” have emerged at various universities nationwide, including the University of Michigan, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Emerson College, and Tufts.
Both sides report a surge in antisemitic and Islamophobic activities among students.
At Yale, protesters are demanding the university to divest from weapons manufacturers.
The encampment at Beinecke Plaza saw protesters setting up tents for the third consecutive night, with the number of participants swelling to “several hundred people” over the weekend, according to Yale Daily News.
Despite an invitation for protesters to engage with the university’s investment body, the offer was declined.
While some protesters complied with the request to leave, others resisted, resulting in 47 arrests by campus police.
Similarly, New York City police intervened at Columbia last week, apprehending numerous protesters advocating for divestment.
The demonstration coincided with Columbia President Minouche Shafik’s appearance before a congressional committee in Washington to address the university’s efforts against antisemitism.
Minnesota politician Ilhan Omar’s daughter was among those arrested for violating security regulations.
Columbia transitioned to virtual classes on Monday, the commencement of the Jewish holiday of Passover, due to “intimidating and harassing behavior”, including antisemitism, as stated by Dr. Shafik.
Students residing off-campus were advised to stay away amid escalating tensions.
In a statement, Dr. Shafik acknowledged that external individuals were exacerbating the crisis on campus and announced the formation of a working group to resolve the situation.
Rumors circulated that a rabbi advised 300 Jewish students to avoid campus until conditions improved.
The White House condemned the rise of antisemitic incidents in the US, urging Americans to denounce such behavior.
President Joe Biden emphasized the importance of speaking out against antisemitism and declared it has no place in the country.
While supporting peaceful protests, the White House denounced any calls for violence or intimidation targeting Jewish students.
Lawmakers, including representatives Jared Moskowitz, Josh Gottheimer, Dan Goldman, and Kathy Manning, have taken notice of the protests in New York.
Republican Virginia Foxx criticized Columbia’s inability to restore order and safety, suggesting that federal assistance may be contingent on addressing the situation promptly.
Former President Donald Trump, present in New York City, proposed diverting police resources to Columbia to maintain order on campus.
Previous online videos indicated support for the Hamas attack on Israel among some protesters.
Aside from university demonstrations, broader protests in the US have emerged in response to events in Gaza, as pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted major roads across the country, impacting airports and iconic landmarks. — BBC
