Columbia University Becoming the Flashpoint of Nationwide Campus Protests over Israel-Palestine Impasse

Columbia University's clearing of pro-Palestinian protesters triggered intense nationwide campus demonstrations demanding divestment from Israel-linked companies amid the Gaza conflict, reigniting debates around free speech.

Columbia University became the point of origin of an explosive wave of campus protests spreading nationwide. The demos, first ignited by the role of NYPD on the Columbia campus to clear off pro-Palestinian protesters, has now mercilessly spread to other universities such as NYU, Yale, University of Illinois, UC Berkeley, and USC.

The protests at Columbia were resolved after 108 protesters, who include Isra Hirsi, the daughter of Rep. Ilhan Omar, were arrested on April 17th. This happened shortly after a US House committee hearing where an anti-Semitic sentiment on campus was raised by the president of Columbia, Nemat Shafik.

Students are protesting the continued supply of sponsorship to the companies that have relationship with the Israeli government. This is because of the increasing violence in Gaza. Sustainability activists assert that the demonstrations that have occurred in many places have forced governments to consider their divestment from oil, even though opposition from conservative critics who want to crack down on "green" campaigns has been on the rise.

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Discussions among the students and the management in Columbia University persist as the encampment continues to be in place and another 2-day deadline is looming. Prof. Marianne Hirsch accused Shafik of "flattening [of] the culture of peaceful demonstration" and "trampling [of] discussion". The atmosphere is tense, and some Jewish students reported that they were feeling threatened.

The protests have kindled the debate over safety, free speech, and what should be the appropriate response from universities as they provide shelter to their campuses from political issues that are settled on them. As the protests across the country are accelerating, people are expectantly watching for Columbia University which has now become the epicenter of the storm.