Protests against Israeli actions in Gaza have led to encampments on several university campuses in the US, with students demanding their institutions take a stand against violence and financial ties to companies doing business in Israel. In Boston, police cleared an encampment at Northeastern University after reports of antisemitic activity. At UC Berkeley, students have been protesting for four days, calling for the university to vocally condemn violence in Gaza and disclose financial holdings connected to the conflict. In Washington D.C., George Washington University suspended multiple students for organizing an anti-Israel encampment on campus, which violated several university policies.
Northeastern University's encampment came to an end when police cleared the area after reports of antisemitic activity. Students shouted and booed at officers from a distance as they removed tents and other belongings. The incident marked a contentious end to weeks of protests against the university's ties to military contractors.
At UC Berkeley, students have been camping out at Sproul Hall for four days in support of Palestinians in Gaza. Their demands include an end to violence and a call for the university to disclose financial holdings connected to the conflict. The protesters are also advocating for an academic boycott of Israeli universities and a permanent Palestinian studies program.
George Washington University suspended multiple students for organizing an anti-Israel encampment on campus. The protest was in response to the university's financial ties to companies doing business in Israel and U.S. support for Israel's war effort against Hamas. Students from nearby universities and left-wing organizations were among the protesters, some of whom wore masks and keffiyehs to cover their faces.
The protests have been met with criticism from university administrators, who argue that the encampments violate university policies and disrupt campus operations. Some universities have also restricted access to campus for outside agitators in an effort to maintain order.
Despite the challenges, students remain committed to their cause and plan to continue protesting until their demands are met.
