College Campuses Divided: Pro-Palestinian Protests Lead to Arrests and Calls for Divestment from Israeli Companies

Boston, Massachusetts United States of America
Companies targeted for divestment include Google and Airbnb due to contracts with Israeli government or listings in occupied West Bank settlements.
Demonstrations have led to numerous arrests as universities attempt to prevent encampments.
Pro-Palestinian protests have swept across college campuses in the US.
Protests have created a hostile environment for Jewish students on some campuses, with reports of threats and counter-protesting putting additional burden on them.
Students are demanding divestment from companies connected to Israeli military campaign and occupation of Palestinian lands.
Universities have rebuffed calls for divestment, but pro-Palestinian activists see it as a way to force colleges to take action and raise awareness.
Universities have responded differently to protests, with some taking firm stance against encampments and arrests, others allowing peaceful expression of views.
College Campuses Divided: Pro-Palestinian Protests Lead to Arrests and Calls for Divestment from Israeli Companies

A wave of pro-Palestinian protests has swept across college campuses in the United States, with students demanding divestment from companies connected to the Israeli military campaign in Gaza and longer-term occupation of Palestinian lands. The demonstrations have led to numerous arrests as universities attempt to prevent encampments from taking hold on their own campuses. At Columbia University, protesters have set up an encampment of around 80 tents on a central campus lawn, while at Emerson College in Boston, over 100 people were arrested during the removal of a pro-Palestinian encampment. The protests have also spread overseas to campuses in Cairo, Paris, and Sydney. Companies targeted for divestment include Google and Airbnb due to their contracts with the Israeli government or listings in Israeli settlements on the occupied West Bank.

Universities have so far rebuffed calls for divestment, with defenders of Israel arguing that these demands are unfair to a country under threat of attack and potentially antisemitic. However, pro-Palestinian activists see divestment as an achievable way to force colleges to take action on the issue and raise awareness of their concerns.

The protests have created a hostile environment for Jewish students on some campuses, with reports of threats and counter-protesting putting additional burden on them. Columbia University parents have expressed concern about the situation, describing it as a “nightmare”.

Universities across the country have responded differently to the protests. Some have taken a firm stance against encampments and arrests, while others have allowed students to express their views peacefully. The University of Texas at Austin, for example, saw over 34 protesters taken into custody after hundreds walked out of class to demand divestment from companies that do business with Israel.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues to be a contentious issue on college campuses and beyond. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how universities will respond and what impact the protests will have on campus life.


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Confidence

91%

Doubts
  • Are all companies targeted for divestment directly involved in the Israeli military campaign or occupation?
  • How many universities have allowed peaceful expression of views versus those taking a firm stance against encampments?
  • What is the exact number of arrests made during these protests?

Sources

95%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Campus Protests Over Gaza Intensify Amid Pushback by Universities and Police

The New York Times J. David Wednesday, 24 April 2024 23:36
  • Unique Points
    • More than 120 new arrests have been made as universities moved to prevent pro-Palestinian encampments from taking hold.
    • Protesters’ demands include divestment by universities from companies connected to the Israeli military campaign in Gaza, disclosure of investments, and recognition of the right to protest without punishment.
    • Demonstrations spread overseas with students gathering on campuses in Cairo, Paris, and Sydney to voice support for Palestinians and opposition to the war.
    • Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson visited Columbia University in New York to negotiate with protest leaders.
  • Accuracy
    • 108 people were arrested during the protest at Emerson College.
    • Demonstrators at Columbia University are demanding the sale of holdings in funds and businesses that activists say are profiting from Israel’s invasion of Gaza and longer-term occupation of Palestinian lands.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (95%)
    The article contains some inflammatory rhetoric and appeals to authority, but no formal or dichotomous fallacies are present. The authors use phrases like 'widening showdown,' 'looming end of the academic year,' and 'galvanized by the pushback on other campuses' to create a sense of tension and urgency. They also quote Speaker of the House Mike Johnson as an example of authority figure attempting to negotiate with protest leaders at Columbia University. However, these instances do not significantly impact the overall content or argumentation in the article.
    • ][The demonstrations spread overseas as well, with students on campuses in Cairo, Paris and Sydney, Australia, gathering to voice support for Palestinians and opposition to the war.][] The protests spread overseas as well,' implies that there is a significant number of protests happening abroad when it only mentions three cities. This can be seen as an attempt to exaggerate the scope of the issue.
    • The speaker of the House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, visited the Columbia campus in New York, where university officials were seeking to negotiate with protest leaders to end the encampment of around 80 tents still pitched on a central campus lawn.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

75%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

More than 100 arrests as Boston police break up Emerson protest encampment

NBC10 Boston (WBTS) News Alysha Palumbo, Thursday, 25 April 2024 14:47
  • Unique Points
    • Boston police arrested over 100 people during the removal of a pro-Palestinian encampment at Emerson College.
    • Students had been warned ahead of time that they would be arrested if they didn’t leave the premises.
    • No injuries were reported among the protesters.
  • Accuracy
    • Over 100 arrests have been made during the protest at Emerson College.
    • 108 people were arrested on charges of unlawful assembly, with other charges possible.
  • Deception (30%)
    The article contains selective reporting as it only reports details that support the authors' position of the arrests at Emerson College. It also uses emotional manipulation by describing students' reactions to the arrests as 'shocking' and 'violent'. The article also implies that there is antisemitism among pro-Palestinian students without providing any evidence or quotes from those students.
    • Police had spoken with protestors ahead of their show of force and warned them there had been complaints and that if they didn’t leave the premises, they would be arrested.
    • These demonstrations have been criticized by some as being antisemitic.
    • Afterward, school canceled classes Thursday.
    • Students who witnessed the incident shortly before 2 a.m. described it as shocking
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The article contains several instances of inflammatory rhetoric and appeals to emotion. The authors use phrases like 'shocking', 'violent', 'arresting students like forcing their way into the encampment' and 'calling for peace, but they’re demanding the university divest from Israel and do more to protect Jewish students.' These phrases are designed to elicit an emotional response from readers rather than presenting objective facts. Additionally, there is a dichotomous depiction of the protesters as peaceful advocates for human rights versus disruptive antisemitic individuals. The authors also quote students making statements that could be interpreted as antisemitic, but do not challenge or question these statements in any way.
    • students were shocked to watch how quickly it got violent
    • police had spoken with protestors ahead of their show of force and warned them there had been complaints and that if they didn’t leave the premises, they would be arrested.
    • ``As we respond to, and process, the events of last night, all classes are canceled for Thursday April 25. More information will be forthcoming to the community.``
    • These demonstrations have been criticized by some as being antisemitic.
    • ``We’re ready to face that. There’s no business as usual during genocide,``
  • Bias (80%)
    The article reports on protests and encampments by students in support of Palestinians and against Israel's war in Gaza. The authors use language that depicts the protesters as 'extreme' or 'radical', such as 'very radical chants are very concerning'. This is an example of bias, as it unfairly stigmatizes the protesters without providing evidence to support this characterization.
    • The pressure on college administrations across the country to divest from Israel continues. But some say pro-Palestinian protests are leading to calls for violence and reflect growing antisemitism, which has spiked since the Hamas attack on Israel in October.
      • These demonstrations have been criticized by some as being antisemitic.
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      96%

      The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
      (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

      A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

      Police arrest 108 at Emerson College protest as antiwar rallies spread

      The Fixing Site: A Summary of the Article. Jennifer Hassan Thursday, 25 April 2024 12:19
      • Unique Points
        • Protests led by Emerson College students took place outside the State Transportation Building in Boston.
        • 108 arrests were made during the protest at Emerson College.
      • Accuracy
        • No injuries were reported among the protesters.
        • Demonstrations have been peaceful so far at most universities.
      • Deception (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Fallacies (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Bias (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      80%

      The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
      (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

      A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

      Divestment From Israel Is a Rallying Cry for College Protesters

      The New York Times Santul Nerkar Wednesday, 24 April 2024 20:17
      • Unique Points
        • Demonstrators at Columbia University are demanding the sale of holdings in funds and businesses that activists say are profiting from Israel’s invasion of Gaza and longer-term occupation of Palestinian lands.
        • Google and Airbnb are among the companies targeted for divestment due to their contracts with the Israeli government or listings in Israeli settlements on the occupied West Bank.
      • Accuracy
        No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
      • Deception (30%)
        The article contains selective reporting as the author only reports details that support the activist's position and ignores the potential counterarguments. The author also uses emotional manipulation by describing the protesters' chants and their determination to not stop or rest. Lastly, there is a lie by omission as the author fails to mention that these companies have denied profiting from Israel's invasion of Gaza.
        • But we hope this expands, so these companies understand what the ramifications are.
        • What it actually means has varied in scope, and level of detail. At Yale and Cornell, students have called on the universities to stop investing in weapons manufacturers. Columbia students are demanding the sale of holdings in funds and businesses that activists say are profiting from Israel’s invasion of Gaza, and the longer-term occupation of Palestinian lands – including Google, which has a large contract with the Israeli government, and Airbnb, which allows listings in Israeli settlements on the occupied West Bank.
      • Fallacies (85%)
        The author makes an appeal to emotion by describing the protesters' chants and their determination. He also uses a dichotomous depiction by presenting the issue as a clear-cut choice between supporting Israel or supporting Palestinian activism, without acknowledging the complexity of the situation. The author also quotes defenders of Israel making accusations against pro-Palestinian activists, but does not provide any evidence or counterargument to support these claims.
        • Demonstrators at Columbia University in New York are demanding that the school sell its holdings in funds and businesses activists say are profiting from Israel’s invasion of Gaza.
        • Defenders of Israel say these calls are unfair to a country that is under threat of attack, and antisemitic because they target the only Jewish-majority nation in the world.
      • Bias (90%)
        The author uses language that depicts one side (pro-Palestinian activists) as extreme or unreasonable by describing their demands as a 'clear and achievable way to force colleges to take action on the issue' and an 'important symbolic victory' when in reality, researchers state that the impact of any divestment would ultimately be negligible on the businesses and Israel. The author also quotes pro-Palestinian activists who are Jewish, but does not provide any context or counterargument from defenders of Israel or those who oppose divestment.
        • But we hope this expands, so these companies understand what the ramifications are.
          • The pro-Palestinian activists, many of whom are Jewish, see divestment as a clear and achievable way to force colleges to take action on the issue
          • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication

          73%

          The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
          (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

          A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

          Parents warn of 'nightmare' climate on Columbia University campus: Jewish students 'are being threatened'

          Fox News Channel Amy Nelson Thursday, 25 April 2024 14:51
          • Unique Points
            • Columbia University parents are concerned about the ongoing anti-Israel protests on campus that have created a hostile environment for Jewish students.
            • Jewish students at Columbia have experienced a threatening climate and some have taken to counter-protesting, which puts additional burden on them.
          • Accuracy
            • The unrest has led to sleepless nights for many parents and has caused anxiety regarding Jewish student safety.
            • Protests have continued and grown in recent days, with faculty members attending some demonstrations.
          • Deception (30%)
            The article contains selective reporting as it only reports details that support the author's position about the situation on Columbia University campus being a 'nightmare' for Jewish students. The author quotes parents expressing their concerns and experiences, but does not provide any counter-perspectives or information that might challenge this narrative. Additionally, there is emotional manipulation through the use of words like 'nightmare,' 'disturbing,' and 'toxic climate.'
            • Nobody expected this. This is not a global pandemic. This is a global conflict. And it shouldn’t be affecting my child’s or any child’s ability to just simply go to class and have a college experience.
            • You have to be very careful of where you walk, where you go. And, even just being able to go and choose what dining hall that you want to go to, or being able to go to the gym or being able to go to the library for that matter. The climate’s been pretty toxic since October 7.
            • The Jewish students, they just want to go to school. They want to finish their schooling. They want to have a college experience.
            • It’s making all of the parents extremely concerned.
            • Columbia University parents are sounding the alarm about the ‘nightmare’ situation their children are facing as anti-Israel protests continue on the campus.
          • Fallacies (85%)
            The author uses inflammatory rhetoric by describing the situation on Columbia University campus as a 'nightmare' multiple times. She also makes a dichotomous depiction by characterizing the protests as disruptive and threatening to Jewish students, while implying that non-Jewish students are unaffected.
            • Columbia University parents are sounding the alarm about the 'nightmare' situation their children are facing
            • It's not that the Jews are fearful so much as they are being threatened. All of them.
            • Nobody expected this. This is not a global pandemic. This is a global conflict. And it shouldn’t be affecting my child’s or any child’s ability to just simply go to class and have a college experience.
          • Bias (80%)
            The author expresses concern for Jewish students at Columbia University due to ongoing anti-Israel protests and the disruption they cause. She quotes parents who describe the situation as a 'nightmare' and 'threatening'. The author does not make any assertions beyond reporting the facts, but her choice of language implies a negative view of the protests and suggests that Jewish students are being targeted. This is an example of ideological bias.
            • Columbia University parents are sounding the alarm about the 'nightmare' situation their children are facing as anti-Israel protests continue on the campus.
              • It's not that the Jews are fearful so much as they are being threatened. All of them.
              • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication
              • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication