Israel’s genocidal campaign against the people of Palestine sparked protests across the world – and has now taken hold at universities.
Universities: protests over Israel’s genocide are spreading
After police were sent in to break up the Columbia University encampment for Palestine, dozens of other universities began demonstrations in solidarity.
American police have arrested around 550 people including professors for exercising their right to peaceful protest.
We are watching history being made. pic.twitter.com/ktY3YhI6Z8
— Matt Kennard (@kennardmatt) April 26, 2024
The International Court of Justice almost unanimously found it “plausible” that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Israel has killed over 14,500 children, destroyed 70% of Gazan homes and displaced 75% of the population.
Yet the police are using force to crackdown on protests against Israel’s conduct. Such as the treatment of Emory university economics professor Caroline Fohlin in Georgia:
USA 🇺🇸
Emory University economics professor Caroline Fohlin manhandled to the ground by police at a pro Palestinian protest. Absolutely horrendous treatment.https://t.co/KEFS60aC00
— James Melville 🚜 (@JamesMelville) April 26, 2024
Also at Emory, video footage shows police using more questionable force against protesters. The University’s student newspaper additionally reported that police are using tear gas:
⚡️Wild videos coming out of Emory University as Georgia Police Deploy Tasers, Rubber Bullets, and Tear Gas Against Protesters
— War Monitor (@WarMonitors) April 25, 2024
The American universities protesting also include New York, Yale, Austin Texas, Southern California, Harvard, Brown, Berkeley and Pittsburgh.
As well as calls for a permanent ceasefire and an end to arms sales to Israel, protestors’ demands also include that their respective universities cut ties with individuals and companies connected to Israel.
There were scenes at UT Austin:
The Texas DPS police which failed the children of Uvalde are now brutalizing American kids at UT Austin on behalf of the genocidal child slaughtering government of apartheid Israel and its local stooges. Absolute losers. pic.twitter.com/aotlxzzZTg
— Max Blumenthal (@MaxBlumenthal) April 24, 2024
The student protests go beyond the US. Unis in France and the UK are also conducting demonstrations, as are Greek students.
Gaza being destroyed
Meanwhile in Palestine, Israel has destroyed all or part of Gaza’s 12 universities. Israel has also killed 94 professors since 7 October. And as Euro-Med monitor reported:
The targeted academics studied and taught across a variety of academic disciplines, and many of their ideas served as cornerstones of academic research in the Gaza Strip’s universities. The rights group added that given the systematic and widespread destruction by Israeli forces of cultural buildings, including institutions of great historical significance, it is highly likely that Israel is intentionally targeting every aspect of life in Gaza.
Israel’s finance minister recently made yet another genocidal statement from Israeli state authorities. He called for the “complete destruction” of the Gaza strip, rather than negotiation.
The comment follows at least 500 genocidal statements from Israelis who command authority.
So the university protests are certainly welcome in the face of a historic crime against humanity. Let’s hope they continue to spread.
Featured image via CNN-News18 – YouTube
