Gaza Palestinians Thank U.S. Students for Solidarity Protests Against Israel

A Palestinian man named Abu Yusuf Hamed, who took refuge in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, expressed gratitude to U.S. students for their support and solidarity with Gaza. Hamed spray painted a message on tents in Rafah, saying "Thank you, American universities. Thank you students in solidarity with Gaza. Your message has arrived."

The pro-Palestine U.S. campus movement has spread to other countries as well, including the UK, France, Australia, Türkiye, and Iran. Israel has been accused of genocide in Gaza, with nearly 34,400 Palestinians killed, mostly women and children, and over 77,400 injured amid mass destruction and severe shortages of necessities. An interim ruling by the International Court of Justice in January ordered Israel to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza.

Palestinian students and faculty members across U.S. universities have been protesting and calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and divestment from Israel. Professors have been arrested at these demonstrations, including at Emory University, Indiana University, Northeastern University, and Arizona State University. The protests have led to the cancellation of graduation ceremonies at the University of Southern California, where a Muslim student was prevented from giving her valedictorian speech due to her public support for Palestine.

Faculty members at Columbia University and Princeton University have expressed solidarity with the student protesters and condemned the universities' responses, which have included police intervention and disciplinary actions against students. The protests have been sparked by the ongoing violence in Gaza, where over 30,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed since Hamas militants attacked Israel in October 2022.

Why this matters: The pro-Palestinian student protests in the U.S. have drawn international attention to the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The demonstrations reflect growing concern and activism among young people regarding Israel's actions and the plight of Palestinians.

Despite obstacles from university administrations and police, including detentions, expulsions, and threats of disciplinary action, pro-Palestinian student demonstrations have continued across various U.S. universities. On Saturday, 23 protesters were arrested at Indiana University in Bloomington for criminal trespass and resisting arrest after refusing to remove their tents and camp on campus. The Indiana University police department stated that they "continue to support peaceful protests on campus that follow university policy."

Key Takeaways

• Palestinian man in Gaza thanks U.S. students for solidarity with Gaza.
• Pro-Palestine campus movement spreads globally, Israel accused of Gaza genocide.
• U.S. university students protest, call for ceasefire and divestment from Israel.
• Professors arrested, graduation ceremonies canceled due to pro-Palestine activism.
• Protests continue despite obstacles, 23 arrested at Indiana University protest.