USA, pro-Palestinian protests on campuses. Biden’s condemnation: “It’s anti-Semitism”

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The pro-Palestinian protests, with anti-Semitic overtones, are overwhelming some of the most prestigious US universities. Columbia canceled in-person classes, dozens of protesters were arrested at Yale, and the gates of Harvard Yard were closed to the public on Monday. The various incidents followed the arrest last week of more than 100 pro-Palestinian protesters who had camped on the Columbia lawns.

In addition to demonstrations at Ivy League schools, pro-Palestinian encampments have sprung up on other campuses, including the University of Michigan, New York University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The protests have pitted students against each other, with pro-Palestinian students demanding that their schools condemn Israel’s assault on Gaza and divest from companies that sell weapons to Israel. Some Jewish students, meanwhile, complain that much of the criticism aimed at Israel has veered towards anti-Semitism, making them feel unsafe and pointing out that Hamas still holds hostages kidnapped during the bloody October 7 attack.

Biden condemns acts of anti-Semitism

Tensions remained high Monday at Columbia in New York City, where campus gates were closed to anyone without a student ID and where protests erupted both on and off campus. Congresswoman Kathy Manning, a Democrat from North Carolina who was visiting Columbia with three other Jewish members of Congress to tour the encampment, told reporters after meeting with students from the Jewish Law Students Association that she witnessed slogans calling for the “destruction” of Israel. President Joe Biden also spoke on the matter, condemning the acts of anti-Semitism.

A woman inside the campus gates led about two dozen protesters into the street chanting “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!”, while a small group of pro-Israel counterprotesters protested nearby.

Columbia University calls police on anti-Semitic protests

Protests at Columbia

Columbia President Minouche Shafik said in a message to the school community Monday that she is “deeply saddened” by what is happening on campus. “To ease hard feelings and give all of us a chance to consider next steps, I am announcing that all classes on Monday will be held virtually,” Shafik wrote, emphasizing that faculty and staff should work remotely when possible and that students who do not belong to the campus should move away.