Anti-Israel protests are spreading from the United States to other countries – 2024-05-06 12:58:07

After various universities in the United States, the anti-Israel movement has started to spread to several universities in several countries. The protest first started at Columbia University in the US last month. Eventually it spread to other universities in the country. Later the movement started spreading to countries like Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, France.

Let’s see the anti-Israel protests in some countries of the world –

United States
Since April 17 of this year, anti-Israel movement has been going on in at least 40 universities in the United States. Starting from Columbia University, it spread to educational institutions such as University of California, Emory University, University of Southern California, University of Texas, New York University, Harvard University, Emerson University in Boston, Yale University in Connecticut, and Seattle High School.

Various departments of the US police have detained about 2,000 people so far in this demonstration, reminiscent of protests against the Vietnam War. Moreover, the police have also been accused of breaking tents, physically assaulting, lathi-charged and spraying chemical sprays to disperse the students.

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden has finally opened his mouth on this matter. However, his speech did not meet any assurance of peace. He made it clear that the order of the country must be prioritized first.

UK
Since the beginning of the Israeli invasion of Gaza, there have been pro-Palestinian protests at various universities in the UK. However, the appearance of the United States has given the protest a new momentum. Protesters in the UK have also started pitching tents on campus.

Videos and photos circulating on social media showed a small camp of pro-Palestinians set up on a lawn in front of Newcastle University buildings. Students protesting want an end to the university’s partnership with organizations that provide defense aid to Israel.

In addition to Newcastle University, students have pitched tents outside university campuses in Leeds, Bristol and Warwick to protest against Israel.

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak supported the strict stance of the police to prevent any kind of disorder in the universities.

France
On Friday (May 3), pro-Palestinian students occupied Sciences Po, the country’s top political science school. Later, the police forcefully removed the protesters. Even though the protest was peaceful, at least 91 people were arrested from this Paris school.

On the other hand, Dauphin University authorities in Paris banned a conference in support of Palestine. This conference was led by international law expert Rima Hasan. He has been vocal in his condemnation of the Israeli genocide in Gaza. The university authorities claimed that this conference could have created chaos among the public.

French President Emmanuel Macron strongly criticized the students’ stance.

Germany
Police intervened to clear protesters outside Humboldt University in central Berlin on Friday (May 3). The protesters were reportedly forcibly removed after they refused to camp elsewhere.

Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner criticized the protests. In an X message, he said, Germany does not want to see events like the United States or France.

Canada
Students protested against the Israeli aggression in Gaza in several Canadian cities including Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver. Despite the threat of a police clearance, hundreds of students at McGill University in Montreal staged the country’s first anti-Israel demonstration.

Protesters at McGill University have vowed to continue their sit-in until it cuts all financial and academic ties with Israel. However, the university authorities are taking steps to remove the protesting students. They claim that some of the protesters are not members of any student body at McGill.

Australia
On Friday, Palestinians and Israelis faced off at the University of Sydney. At that time they waved flags and chanted slogans for themselves. The protest is going on peacefully except for some heated exchanges between the two sides.

Australian protesters have been holding a sit-in program for 10 days by pitching tents on the green lawn in front of the University of Sydney. They want Australia to cut ties with all Israeli institutions and stop funding arms companies.

Ireland
Students of Trinity College affiliated to the University of Dublin in Ireland have started anti-Israel protests. On Friday, they set up a temporary camp on the college campus to show solidarity with Palestine.

Mexico
Dozens of students from UNAM, Mexico’s largest university, set up a camp in the capital on Thursday (May 2). They want the Mexican government to cut all ties with Israel.

Switzerland
Students at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland occupy the entrance to a building and protest, calling for an academic boycott of Israel and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Around 100 students participated in the protest which started on Thursday (May 2). Tana said that their peaceful stay will continue till Monday (May 6).

Source: AFP
SAH