Caught in the Campus Crossfire: The Escalation of American Anti-Israel Protests and University Responses
US campuses see a surge in anti-Israel protests, reflecting broader activism trends and igniting debates on free speech versus safety. Incidents mirror global conflicts, leading to arrests and deepening campus divides
The recent surge in anti-Israel protests across US college campuses signifies a notable shift in some American public segments’ attitudes toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. These protesters aim for school divestment from Israel, sparked by opposition to Israeli policies in Gaza and concerns about disparities in civilian casualties.
Hamas’ October 7 attacks on communities in southern Israel killed about 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals and saw more than 250 taken hostage. A severe Israeli counterattack followed, killing over 34,000 Palestinians according to the Health Ministry in the Gaza Strip, displacing nearly all of Gaza’s population, and causing widespread famine.
Some equate these current college protests with the persistent student activism of the 1960s and 1970s, which was crucial in opposing the Vietnam War and advancing civil rights for Black Americans. This is because, despite distinct evolutions in strategy and technology, the core elements—sit-ins, strikes, and marches—remain prevalent.
The intensification of anti-Israel protests on college campuses is part of a broader, more visible pattern of activism linked to heightened Middle East conflicts, especially between Israel and Palestine. Groups like the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement and Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) have been pivotal in this activism. At the same time, some pro-Israel organizations link these groups to a rise in campus antisemitic incidents.
A 2021 Anti-Defamation League report notes a rise in anti-Israel sentiment, occasionally manifesting as antisemitic acts, including vandalism, harassment, and protests that make Jewish students feel targeted. However, BDS and SJP supporters claim their actions address perceived injustices and advocate for Palestinian rights, not antisemitism. They argue that criticism of Israeli policies should be distinguished from ethnic or religious discrimination.
Yet, the protests have exposed deep divisions among students and faculty, marked by significant confrontations between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel groups. Rampant accusations of antisemitism and Islamophobia complicate university responses and public perception of the protests. High-profile figures and organizations have weighed in, some condemning the protests as antisemitic, while others defend them as legitimate criticisms of Israeli policies.
At New York University, police forcibly dispersed a disorderly large encampment of protesters after intimidating chants and antisemitic incidents led to multiple arrests. Some students criticized the crackdown as an infringement of their rights to protest and express their views.
Similarly, Columbia University administration canceled in-person classes amid growing unrest and safety concerns. This action followed the establishment and subsequent police clearance of a protest encampment on campus, resulting in over 100 arrests. These measures were part of a broader effort to manage tensions and ensure student safety. However, they have also sparked debates over the adequacy of university responses to such crises.
Additionally, an Israeli professor at Columbia University, Shai Davidai, was barred from entering the main campus where pro-Palestinian demonstrators had occupied the lawn. The university cited safety concerns amid the tense atmosphere to prevent his peaceful sit-in.
At Yale, the situation escalated with the arrest of about 45 protesters who established an encampment. The university cited policy violations and the need to maintain order as reasons for the police action. In Massachusetts, Harvard University closed Harvard Yard to the public and suspended the Harvard Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee, citing policy violations.
During a congressional hearing, presidents from Harvard, MIT, and the University of Pennsylvania acknowledged the challenges and accusations of antisemitism posed by these protests. Critics, however, have questioned the adequacy of these responses. Some Congress members, students, and alumni argue that university measures have inadequately addressed or curtailed campus antisemitic incidents.
