Since mid-April, the protest against the war in Gaza has spread to American universities, resulting in over 60 campuses experiencing protests and occupations. Over 2 thousand people have been arrested in connection with these protests. Images of police in riot gear clearing out Columbia and UCLA have been circulating 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 several universities in recent weeks. Tensions arose at the University of Queensland in Brisbane between students who are 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 France, protests at universities like Sciences Po and 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 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 not to provide a platform to representatives of nations complicit in actions by Israel. The Students’ Federation of India has denounced India’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. Attempts by police to disperse protesters have been met with legal challenges as demonstrated by a Quebec superior court judge’s rejection of an injunction at McGill University