Following the Israel-Hamas conflict, which began with a surprise attack by Hamas on Israel, tensions rose on university campuses. The conflict has caused massive casualties, with conflicting figures given by the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry and the Israeli Foreign Ministry. According to Hamas, Israeli forces have killed more than 34,000 people and wounded tens of thousands in Gaza, while Israel reports that more than 1,700 people have been killed and thousands wounded in attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian militants.
In response to the escalating crisis and mounting casualties in Gaza, university students across the globe have flocked to campuses to demand that Israel desist from military operations. In these largely peaceful protests, students have camped out and organized demonstrations to voice their concerns. In addition, authorities made a number of arrests, mainly for trespassing, and some cases of violence were reported, often involving individuals not affiliated with academic institutions.
The protests reflect growing activism among students and their desire to address global humanitarian issues. Despite differing perspectives on the conflict, students underscore the importance of dialogue and engagement on university campuses as they seek to influence the policies and actions of their institutions in the face of international crises.
In demonstrations organized by “UChicago United for Palestine”, students gathered on campus to demand that the university cut ties with Israel following the Israel-Hamas War. The protesters accused Israel of genocide and criticized the university’s alleged financial support for Israel. The students called for an end to all partnerships with Israeli institutions and transparency in the spending of tuition money. They also called on the university to recognize and support the reconstruction of Gaza’s education system. Among other demands, the organizers demand that UChicago cut ties with Israeli companies and the Israel Institute, publicly disclose its investments in arms manufacturers, and commit to a “Palestine to the South Bank” reparations program.[1]
The demonstration was attended by about 100 people, including professors showing solidarity with the protesters’ freedom of expression. Potential solidarity with other campuses supporting Gaza was mentioned, but plans to establish a campus at UChicago were not finalized.[2] The University of Chicago has reaffirmed its commitment to freedom of expression and supports the rights of protesters and speakers.However, it maintains its longstanding stance against taking social or political positions beyond its core mission, as outlined in the 1967 Kalven Report.[3]
In relation to the UChicago protest and the demands made by the UChicago United for Palestine student coalition, it is important to recognize the complexities and sensitivities involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Accusations of genocide and calls for severing ties with Israel reflect deeply held beliefs and concerns in certain segments of the university community. Moreover, the University of Chicago’s response, citing its sensitivity to free speech and its commitment to the 1967 Kalven Report, underscores its stance of maintaining neutrality on social and political issues beyond its core mission.
Overall, the UChicago protest reflects a broader trend of activism on university campuses, where students are increasingly speaking out on issues of social justice and international affairs. It underscores the importance of engaging in constructive dialogue and finding avenues for meaningful change while respecting different points of view.
Following Chicago, there was a significant escalation of campus unrest at Columbia University. More than 100 protesting students were detained by the NYPD following an order by the university’s president, Minouche Shafik, to disband the “Gaza Solidarity Camp”. The students advocated disassociation from organizations affiliated with Israel in the midst of the conflict in Gaza. The university president expressed concern for students’ safety in the face of increasing anti-Semitic rhetoric, while students accused the administration of endangering them by activating a police unit known as “violent.” Solidarity demonstrations subsequently erupted at universities across the country, including Yale, Ohio State and New York.[4]
The rector’s decision to disperse the protest camp and deploy law enforcement underscores the difficult balance universities face between ensuring security and protecting freedom of expression. The disproportionate use of police force can further fuel feelings of marginalization among student groups.
This incident at Columbia is not isolated, but rather indicative of a broader trend of repression of pro-Palestinian activism on campuses across the country. Solidarity demonstrations at other universities, such as Yale, Ohio State and New York, highlight the interconnectedness of academic communities in responding to issues of social justice and human rights.
Students at the Sorbonne University are also calling on the French government to help the Palestinians, aligning themselves with similar protests in the US. Students at the prestigious Paris Institute of Political Studies (Sciences Po) in France organized similar demonstrations to those in the United States, protesting Israel’s actions in Gaza. The students demanded that the university condemn Israel and carried Palestinian flags and keffiyeh scarves as a symbol of solidarity. The students called for a wider mobilization in universities and beyond until the Gaza conflict ends. Sciences Po officials did not comment on the protest. The police’s removal of some students from the blockade was condemned by leftist politicians.[5]
The demand for institutional condemnation of Israel’s actions highlights a growing trend of activism within educational institutions to address geopolitical conflicts. The lack of response from Sciences Po officials potentially reflects concerns about institutional neutrality and taking a stand against human rights violations.
The condemnation of the police response by left-wing politicians underscores the polarizing nature of such protests and the wider discourse surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It also raises questions about the balance between freedom of expression and the maintenance of public order in democratic societies.
In Australia, students at the University of Sydney and the University of Melbourne have set up pro-Palestinian camps on their campuses. In Rome, Italy, students at Sapienza University are organizing sit-ins and hunger strikes. In the United Kingdom, students at the University of Warwick have been filling the campus square as part of the “Warwick stands with Palestine” campaign since April 19, 2024, while students at the University of Leicester have been organizing protests. Also, in March 2024, students at the University of Leeds occupied a campus building to protest against their university’s relations with Israel.[6] These actions show widespread student solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
Social media highlighted a number of antisemitic incidents, including images and videos of individuals making threatening statements or displaying antisemitic signs during protests. Authorities have condemned these incidents and emphasized the need to maintain order and reject hate speech. University administrations, such as Cal Poly Tech, have condemned hateful acts and provided support to affected communities. Prominent figures such as US President Joe Biden and Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson have condemned hate incidents and emphasized the importance of combating anti-Semitism on university campuses and beyond.[7]
The recent wave of student activism on campuses around the world in support of the Palestinian cause reveals a powerful global youth movement challenging injustice and oppression. Through protests, sit-ins, hunger strikes and campus occupations, students are raising Palestinian voices and demanding institutional accountability. These actions underscore the importance of transnational solidarity in advancing social justice agendas.
[1] “UChicago Students Rally As Pro-Palestine Protests Sweep College Campuses”, Block Club Chicago, https://blockclubchicago.org/2024/04/26/uchicago-students-rally-as-pro-palestine-protests-sweep-college-campuses/, (Date of Access: 27.04.2024).
[2] “University of Chicago students hold pro-Palestinian rally, demand divestment from Israel”, CBS News, https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/university-of-chicago-students-pro-palestinian-rally/, (Date of Access: 27.04.2024).
[3] Same place.
[4] “Students protested for Palestine before Israel was even founded”, VOX, https://www.vox.com/24138285/columbia-campus-israel-palestine-activism-sjp, (Date of Access: 27.04.2024).
[5] “Students block Paris’s Sciences Po to protest against Israel’s war on Gaza”, Aljazzera, https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2024/4/26/students-block-pariss-sciences-po-to-protest-against-israels-war-on-gaza, (Date of Access: 28.04.2024).
[6] “Are US campus protests against Israel’s war on Gaza going global?”, Aljazzera, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/4/26/are-us-campus-protests-against-israels-war-on-gaza-going-global, (Date of Access: 28.04.2024).
[7] “Student protesters denounce antisemitism amid criticism over pro-Palestinian encampments at college campuses”, ABC News, https://abcnews.go.com/US/student-protesters-denounce-antisemitism-amid-criticism-pro-palestinian/story?id=109643275, (Date of Access: 28.04.2024).
