Zionism trampled by widespread
campus rallies
Top universities where students stood against Israel
Since the onset of Israel’s aggression on the Gaza Strip, numerous demonstrations, rallies, and campaigns have unfolded across various American cities, protesting the attack on Gaza and opposing the Biden administration’s protective policies towards Israel. The turning point of these protests in the United States can be traced back to April 17 at Columbia University, with the movement rapidly gaining traction and spreading to other universities and academic institutions worldwide.
The anti-Israeli student protests in the United States initially commenced as a peaceful gathering of Columbia University students, advocating for an end to the war in Gaza. The situation escalated when the New York City police resorted to mass arrests within student campuses. On April 22, the protests extended to several universities along the US East Coast, including New York University, Yale University, Emerson College, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Tufts University, resulting in additional mass arrests in New York and Yale.
In the following days, these protests enveloped the United States, reaching universities in more than 46 of the 50 US states and the District of Columbia. It can be argued that these protests constitute a novel social phenomenon for Americans, who have traditionally defined support for the Zionist regime as an intrinsic component of their foreign policy perspective. This movement is expected to gain further momentum in the coming days and months.
US Foreign Policy characterized the nature of student protests in America as a political crisis rooted in the nation’s foreign policy, particularly Washington’s enduring and close relationship with Israel, as opposed to the alleged cultural or higher education crisis some have claimed.
The wave of anti-Israeli protests by American university students was not confined to the United States; concurrently, demonstrations condemning the Palestinian genocide in Gaza spread across Europe, Australia, and Canada. Pro-Palestinian students orchestrated large-scale protest rallies in such countries as Argentina, Australia, Canada, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, Tunisia, the United Kingdom, and Yemen.
Stanford University
Established in 1885 and opening its doors six years later, Stanford University is renowned for its expansive campus and prestigious reputation as one of the world’s leading educational institutions. Its entrepreneurial spirit emerged post-World War II. In 1970, the university played a vital role in laying the groundwork for the Internet by hosting part of the initial network.
Stanford boasts 21 Nobel laureates among its alumni and has strong associations with distinguished individuals in the realms of business, politics, media, sports, and technology. The university has a history of sending prominent figures to the United States Congress. Moreover, companies founded by Stanford alumni and affiliates generate an impressive $2.7 trillion in annual revenue, including industry giants such as Nike, Netflix, Hewlett-Packard, Sun Microsystems, Instagram, Snapchat, PayPal, and Yahoo. Notably, Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, earned her bachelor’s degree in physics from Stanford University in 1973.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Renowned as an independent, private research university nestled in Cambridge, Massachusetts, MIT takes pride in its distinguished alumni, including 85 Nobel laureates, 58 National Science Medal recipients, 29 National Technology and Innovation Medal winners, and 45 MacArthur Fellows. Among its notable graduates is former United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan. Scientific breakthroughs and technological advancements attributed to MIT encompass the first chemical synthesis of penicillin, radar development, quark discovery, and magnetic core memory invention, paving the way for digital computers. The university asserts that its living alumni have established over 30,000 active companies, generating 4.6 million jobs and nearly $1.9 trillion in annual revenue. In a testament to its impact, MIT likens its economic clout to that of the world’s tenth-largest economy.
Harvard University
As the oldest university in the United States, dating back to 1636, Harvard University enjoys global recognition as one of the most esteemed educational institutions. The university’s name pays homage to its first benefactor, John Harvard, who bequeathed his library and half of his estate to the institution upon his demise in 1638.
This private Ivy League university has cultivated connections with over 45 Nobel laureates, more than 30 heads of state, and 48 Pulitzer Prize winners. Thirteen United States presidents boast honorary degrees from Harvard. Recent faculty members who have garnered the Nobel Prize include chemist Martin Karplus and economist Alvin Roth. Notably, Harvard commands one of the largest financial endowments among higher education institutions worldwide, most recently reporting a value of $50.7 billion in 2023.
Princeton University
Renowned as one of the oldest universities in the United States, Princeton stands out as a distinguished institution of higher learning globally. Famed for its dedication to teaching, this Ivy League university provides campus housing to all students throughout their four years of study, boasting 98% undergraduate on-campus residency. Moreover, Princeton’s research prominence has nurtured over 40 Nobel laureates, 17 National Medal of Science recipients, and 5 National Humanities Medal honorees. Two former US presidents, James Madison and Woodrow Wilson, add to the notable alumni list that includes Michelle Obama, wife of Barack Obama, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
Caltech is a world-class science and engineering research-educational institution known for its highly selective admissions process, admitting only a chosen few. Graduates and faculty members have garnered 39 Nobel Prizes, one Fields Medal, 6 Turing Awards, and 71 US National Medals of Science or Technology, underscoring the university’s distinction. Caltech’s influence further extends to nurturing four US Air Force senior scientists.
Columbia University, catalyst for anti-Israel protests
Columbia University, celebrated for its global research prominence and exceptional educational environment across diverse fields, holds particular significance due to its New York City location and esteemed academic values. Many of Columbia’s graduate programs consistently rank among the top 10 national programs for research productivity.
The university’s reputation is further solidified by its alumni, who include numerous influential government figures. Thirteen presidents and five members of the National Hall of Fame have graced Columbia’s halls, with notable graduates such as former US President Barack Obama, writer and professor of biochemistry at Boston University Isaac Asimov, actress Alicia Keys, and US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Columbia University’s unique importance, along with the White House’s keen interest, is underscored by its reputation as a nurturing ground for America’s future leaders. In light of the recent anti-Israeli uprising initiated by its students, the university, renowned for its history of anti-war and anti-apartheid demonstrations, now symbolizes a place fostering future leaders who challenge the United States’ longstanding policies, object to Israel’s support, and oppose Israel’s atrocities in Gaza.
US longstanding history of student protests against war and racism
Student-led protest rallies in American universities have a rich history spanning several decades. In the 1960s, students vehemently opposed America’s involvement in the Vietnam War, organizing massive demonstrations and calling for a change in the government’s stance. The apex of these protests occurred on May 4, 1970, at Kent University, where Ohio National Guard soldiers opened fire on thousands of protesting students, resulting in four fatalities and nine injuries. This incident catalyzed widespread protests and strikes across numerous American universities.
Presently, over 50 years later, progressive American lawmakers have drawn parallels between the recent police suppression of anti-war student rallies and the deadly response to Vietnam War student protests, urging President Joe Biden to avoid repeating past mistakes. Criticism surrounding the student crackdown mounts as analysts caution that Biden’s reaction to student anti-war demonstrations “could morph into Biden’s Vietnam.”
Students participating in pro-Palestinian freedom protests on campuses nationwide have consistently referenced the legacy of student resistance and government suppression at pivotal moments in American history. They assert that universities should serve as venues fostering rational discussions around contentious topics while encouraging dialogue “even across painful and divisive issues.”
Demands of pro-Palestinian students
The ongoing protests stem from a series of demands made by pro-Palestinian students. They call for American universities to sever financial ties with Israel and companies involved in the Gaza war, urging their academic institutions to join the global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement to end the atrocities in Gaza and secure Palestinian rights. Additionally, students demand that the US government and Congress cease their unwavering support for Israel. Other key demands include terminating academic collaborations with Israeli institutions, disclosing universities’ investments and rejecting university research funding from Israel.
In response to police brutality against student protesters and disciplinary cases imposed on them, amnesty for penalized or dismissed students and faculty members has been added to the protesters’ list of demands. These demonstrations began as the US House of Representatives recently approved a $95 billion foreign aid package, which includes assistance to the Zionist regime.
University crackdown on anti-Israel student protests
From the onset of these gatherings, university presidents escalated tensions by requesting police presence on campus, transforming peaceful assemblies into violent conflicts. For instance, New York police appeared at Columbia University during the early stages of student protests, leading to numerous arrests and hours-long detentions. Participating students now risk suspension, student card confiscation, expulsion from dormitories, and even university dismissal. According to the Associated Press, almost 3,000 individuals have been arrested during anti-Israel student protests across the United States.
Professors join anti-Israel protests, face potential backlash
Only days after anti-Israel student rallies commenced at American universities, Columbia University experienced a significant professors’ strike in solidarity with arrested student protesters who erected protest tents. While the exact number of participating university professors remains unclear, The Guardian reported “hundreds of university faculty protested.”
New York University faculty members also participated in demonstrations at their campus, leading to multiple arrests. Affected professors included Christopher Brown, Columbia’s History professor; Hilary Callahan, Barnard’s Biology professor; Julie Crawford, Columbia’s English and Literature professor; Elizabeth Bernstein, Barnard’s Women’s Studies professor; Carolyn Follin, Economics professor; and Noelle Mack Afi, Emory University’s Philosophy department head.
The professional future of many of these professors is now threatened by university financial sponsors, groups, and politically influential individuals.
Prominent figures react to US student protests
Robert Kraft, the American billionaire and New England Patriots owner, declared his refusal to provide financial aid to Columbia University following campus riots and police intervention. As a Columbia alumnus and founder of the Kraft Columbia Center for Jewish Student Life, Kraft expressed his disappointment on Instagram, asserting that “Columbia can no longer protect its students and staff.”
Gerald Nadler, a Columbia graduate and the oldest Jewish member of the House of Representatives, emphasized the university’s responsibility to safeguard students and maintain a conducive educational environment.
Columbia University professor Howard W. French, in a Foreign Policy article, argued that American politicians labeling protesting students as threats are misguided.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres advocated for freedom of speech and peaceful demonstrations in response to questions regarding the suppression of student protests in America.
US media, officials acknowledge democratic decline
The arrest of pro-Palestinian students, peacefully demonstrating against American financial support for Israel, exposes the hypocrisy of the United States’ self-proclaimed stance as a staunch defender of free speech. This blatant disregard for the right to peaceful protest stands in stark contrast to the vocal condemnations they level against countries they deem “authoritarian”.
In response to the protests, senior Republican senators urged the Biden administration to deploy Federal Police (FBI) forces to suppress student demonstrators. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and his deputy, John Toon, labeled the protesters as “anti-Semitic” and “terrorism sponsors” in a letter addressed to Attorney General Merrick Garland and Education Secretary Miguel Cardona.
As a result, the blockade of these student protests not only raises serious constitutional concerns but also undermines the very democratic principles the United States claims to uphold. By disregarding the constitutional obligation to provide “advice and consent” on the president’s choice, the Senate has effectively abandoned its duty to act on behalf of the American people. This alarming disregard for democratic norms only serves to reinforce the growing perception of America’s decline as a bastion of democracy and free speech.
Republicans swayed by Zionists
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, has advocated for the dismantling of pro-Palestinian solidarity campaigns at Columbia University, sparking outrage among students. Johnson’s stance aligns with his approval of a $26 billion aid package supporting Israel.
Backed by the heads of six House committees, who possess significant influence over grants, research funding, visas, and tax codes for universities, Johnson has vowed to use all “available tools” to exert pressure on universities where protests against Israel and the Gaza war are taking place. House Republicans are also investigating federal funding for these universities, suggesting they may impose tighter congressional oversight and potentially revoke federal research grants and government support.
In a related development, 21 Democratic representatives have written to Columbia’s Board of Trustees, demanding the dissolution of the pro-Palestinian camp on campus or the resignation of the board. This letter reflects a broader debate within the United States about freedom of speech and the rights of pro-Palestinian activists, who have long claimed they face targeted harassment. The recent police crackdowns on protests at various universities, including New York University, have further complicated matters, raising questions about the institutions’ commitment to protecting free speech.
Suppressing student protests under the guise of ‘Anti-Semitism’
The US authorities often label student protests as “anti-Semitic” even though many Jewish students actively participate in these anti-Israel demonstrations. These students assert that Judaism is distinct from Zionism, highlighting their belief in Judaism’s inherent opposition to oppression and genocide.
In a bid to counter the student uprising and stifle free speech, mainstream American media outlets have dubbed pro-Palestinian students “rioters,” “disruptors of order,” and “anti-Semitic.” By doing so, they attempt to sway public opinion against these protests, which fundamentally oppose Israel and condemn America’s support for its crimes.
A Foreign Policy report challenged this propaganda, emphasizing that the student demonstrations within university campuses embody civility, with the students even adopting an admirable code of conduct. This code prioritizes cleanliness, refrains from using drugs or alcohol, respects others’ privacy, and avoids confrontations with opponents.
Ultimately, the report maintains that the student protests stem not from anti-Semitic sentiments but from the deep shock and horror sparked by the appalling, indiscriminate violence perpetrated by the Zionist regime in Gaza.
Biden’s opponents capitalize on anti-Israel protests
The New York Times analyzed the impact of anti-Israel student rallies on the Democratic Party and Biden administration, suggesting that campus chaos could pose political risks in the upcoming election year. The paper discussed the challenge of balancing support for free speech and Gaza with concerns about anti-Semitism among some American Jews.
CNN attributed the student protests partly to opposition against Biden’s support for Israel, noting that the demonstrations reflect broader discontent among American youth regarding the administration’s handling of multiple issues, especially the Gaza crisis. This poses a significant threat to Biden’s campaign against Donald Trump.
In a surprising move, the College Democrats of America, representing students within the Democratic Party, released a statement condemning university administrators for suspending students and requesting police intervention during protests. The New York Times called this an unexpected critique from a historically cooperative organization.
As election campaigns gear up, senior Biden administration officials are increasingly worried about the spreading student protests against the Gaza war. Democrats hope that a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas could mitigate some of the political damage caused by the domestic conflict.