Demonstrators in support of Palestinians are still camped on the Columbia University campus in New York, a week after police arrested over 100 of them. The action has attracted international attention, sympathy demonstrations across the country and controversy.

New York

Columbia University in New York is under scrutiny for its response to ongoing demonstrations on its campus. Protesters advocating for Palestinian rights have been encamped at the university for over a week, following the arrest of more than 100 demonstrators. The incident has garnered attention and support internationally, prompting similar protests across the United States.

Columbia University administration has received criticism from various quarters, including prominent Republican politicians. These politicians, after discussions with Jewish students on campus, have demanded the resignation of the university's president, accusing the institution of fostering anti-Semitism and allowing disorder. The controversy has echoed through numerous universities nationwide, with reports suggesting up to 200 institutions experiencing related protests.

Students involved in the demonstrations argue they are in need of protection, expressing fears of physical attacks and potential damage to their future career prospects. Despite facing arrests and suspensions, the protesters are resolved to continue their encampment. They have outlined three demands: the disclosure of Columbia University's investments in Israel, divestment from these holdings, and amnesty for the students who have been suspended.

Comparisons have been drawn between the current protests and the 1968 Columbia University sit-ins, which were against the institution's involvement in the Vietnam War. The 1968 protests had significant repercussions, contributing to the broader movement against the war in the United States.

Support for the demonstrators extends within the university, including among Jewish students and faculty members. They argue that the protests, while critical of Israeli politics, do not equate to anti-Semitism and do not pose a threat to their safety. Despite this, the university has issued a warning to the protesters, demanding the encampment be dismantled by the end of the week, with the implication of further unspecified actions.



Columbia University facing criticism over handling of protests

Columbia University officials facing mounting criticism from all sides over its handling of student demonstrators. Prominent Republican politicians, after meeting with some Jewish students on campus, called on the university president to resign. As Columbia has allowed these lawless agitators and radicals to take over, the virus of anti-semitism is spread across other campuses. By some counts as many as 200 universities have a similar form of protest right now. Students who faced arrest and suspension say they're the ones who need protection. Many are afraid to show their face. There's definitely a fear of, you know, being attacked and the risk of like losing career opportunities and stuff, which is really a shame that people willing to, you know, advocate for human rights are smeared in such a way. Nevertheless, they are vowing to continue their encampment. Student organizers say they have three demands for the university. Number one, disclose their investments in Israel. Number two, divest from them. And number three, provide amnesty for students who've been suspended. They say they won't leave the grounds until that happens. Many have compared their actions to what happened on campus in 1968 when Columbia students held sit-ins to demand an end to the university's connection to the Vietnam War and were arrested, sparking nationwide demonstrations credited with the U.S.'s eventual withdrawal from the war. And the students do have the support of many Jewish students and faculty. I do not feel that this project is anti-semitic in any way. I do feel that the students are highly critical of Israeli politics, and I do not believe that that is inherently anti-semitic at all. And I do not feel threatened as a Jewish faculty member in any way by what's happening here on this campus, except by the arrest of many of our students. The university has warned students to take down their encampment by Friday morning or face unspecified consequences. Kristen Salumi, Al Jazeera, New York.

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