Tensions flared between pro-Palestinian student protesters and school administrators at several US universities, as in-person classes were cancelled and demonstrators arrested. The protests, which began last week at Columbia University with a large group of demonstrators establishing a so-called "Gaza Solidarity Encampment" on school grounds, have spread to other campuses, including Yale, MIT.

New York

Pro-Palestinian protests at several U.S. universities have escalated, involving arrests and the cancellation of in-person classes. The demonstrations, centered around calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and divestment from companies linked to Israel, began at Columbia University with the establishment of a "Gaza Solidarity Encampment." This protest movement has since spread to other institutions, including Yale, MIT, and Emerson College.

At New York University (NYU), tensions reached a peak as pro-Palestinian student protesters set up an unauthorized camp, prompting police intervention at the university's request. NYU officials reported that the situation escalated when additional protesters, believed not to be affiliated with the university, breached barriers erected around the encampment. The police were called in to dismantle tents and make arrests after disorderly and antagonizing behavior was observed, and several anti-Semitic incidents were reported.

The protests have not only led to confrontations and arrests but also affected academic operations. At Columbia University, the presence of a tent encampment for six days prompted the cancellation of all in-person classes, and more than 100 people were arrested last week. Some students have been suspended in the wake of these demonstrations.

Amidst these developments, concerns over anti-Semitism have grown among some Jewish students, who claim the criticism of Israel has crossed into anti-Semitic territory, making them feel unsafe. The protests over the war in Gaza have also led to significant repercussions for university administrations, including the resignations of leaders at Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania.



Pro-Palestinian protesters arrested at NYU as tensions flare

Moving in at the request of New York University, police dismantle tents and make arrests. NYU said pro-Palestinian demonstrators set up an unauthorized camp at this plaza on Monday morning and school authorities fenced off the area to prevent others from joining. According to a spokesperson, it was only when additional protesters not believed to be affiliated with the university breached those barriers that police intervention was needed. We witnessed disorderly, disruptive and antagonizing behavior. We also learned that there were intimidating chants and several anti-Semitic incidents reported. Given the foregoing and safety issues raised by the breach, we asked for assistance from the NYPD. Students at several of the United States' most prestigious universities have led pro-Palestinian protests including at Yale, MIT and Emerson College. Protesters are calling for divestment of university's funds from companies linked to Israel as well as making broader demands for a ceasefire in Gaza. Monday marked the sixth day of a tent encampment at Columbia University's New York City campus prompting its president to cancel all in-person classes. Last week, more than 100 people were arrested at the Ivy League school and some students were suspended. Meanwhile, some Jewish students say much of the criticism of Israel has veered into anti-Semitism and made them feel unsafe. Several of the country's most elite universities have faced controversies related to the protests over the war in Gaza leading to the resignations of the heads of Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania.

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