Anti-war protests against Israel have swept through American universities, with over 60 campuses experiencing demonstrations and occupations since mid-April. Over 2,000 people have been arrested in connection with these protests. Images of police in riot gear clearing out Columbia and UCLA have circulated around the world, leading to the spread of the protest to universities in Europe, Asia, Oceania, and the Middle East.
In Australia, pro-Palestine protests have been taking place at least seven universities in recent weeks. Tensions arose at the University of Queensland in Brisbane between students in solidarity with Palestinians and those with Israeli flags. The group Students for Palestine UQ is calling on university leaders to cut ties with Israeli companies, particularly those in the arms industry. Similar protests have spread to other campuses in Australia, including the University of Sydney.
In the United Kingdom, demonstrations in support of Palestinians have been ongoing since the beginning of the war in Gaza. Encampments and occupations have started at British universities, with students calling for an end to partnerships with Israeli defense companies. These protests have drawn criticism from the Union of Jewish Students for creating a hostile environment for Jewish students.
In France, protests at universities like Sciences Po and the Sorbonne have led to police intervention to clear out camps. Students at these universities have expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people while facing criticism for alleged anti-Semitic and anti-Israel activities. Dialogue is urged by both sides to address the concerns and tensions on campus.
In India, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi also saw pro-Palestine protests in solidarity with Columbia students. Students at JNU called for the university to not provide a platform to representatives of nations complicit in actions by Israel. The Students’ Federation of India has denounced the Indian government’s pro-Israel stance, deviating from historical support for Palestine.
Protests at Canadian universities like McGill University, University of Toronto, and University of British Columbia demand an end to ties with Israeli companies
