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Columbia University drops deadline for pro-palestinian protest camp disbandment
KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)
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Summary
As the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza enters its 200th day, protests in solidarity with Palestinians have surged across American university campuses. The situation has intensified following clashes and arrests at various institutions, with demonstrations expanding beyond their origins at Columbia, Yale, and Brown universities to places like Austin, Los Angeles, and more.
Columbia University has extended the deadline for dismantling a pro-Palestinian protest camp on its grounds, signaling a shift in the dynamics of campus activism across the United States.
Originally poised to clear the encampment by midnight, university authorities backed down late Thursday, citing ongoing negotiations with student demonstrators. The decision came amidst a wave of similar protests sweeping across college campuses, with authorities resorting to arrests and forceful dispersals to quell demonstrations.
Recently, top Republican lawmaker and US House Speaker Mike Johnson’s visit to Columbia University was marred by heckling from protesters, forcing an abrupt end to his visit.
Columbia University President Minouche Shafik’s office issued a statement at 9:07 PM (IST) on Friday, indicating progress in talks between the administration and student protesters, each with their own set of demands. Dismissing rumors of involving New York City police, the statement emphasised the commitment to dialogue.
“The talks have shown progress and are continuing as planned,” it said. “We have our demands; they have theirs.”
The protests, rooted in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, have reverberated nationwide, with over 200 arrests reported in Los Angeles, Boston, and Austin. Instances of police confrontation, including the use of chemical irritants and tasers, have raised concerns about the balance between free expression and campus safety.
While supporters of Israel have raised alarms over anti-Semitic incidents, protesters have distanced themselves from such sentiments. The protests, with participants from diverse backgrounds, reflect a broader challenge facing universities grappling with the complexities of Middle East politics and freedom of speech.
Expert views:
Offering insights into these unfolding developments, Ambassador K.P. Fabian, former Indian ambassador to Qatar, renowned for his expertise in Middle Eastern affairs, and Julia Sensen, managing editor at the Cornell Daily Sun, provided perspectives from their respective domains, in conversation with CNBC-TV18.
“At Cornell, there is a coalition of over 40 groups, including both on-campus and off-campus organisations, along with many affinity groups of different ethnicities,” Sensen remarked.
“While it has brought together various campus groups, there are also other campus groups in disagreement with the protest behavior, namely, some of the Jewish groups at Cornell, such as Cornellians for Israel, and Cornell Hello.”
“In essence, it’s crucial to recognise that this protest isn’t against Jews or Israel per se; it’s against Israel’s policies,” Ambassador Fabien added.
“Students are demanding that the university divest from companies benefiting from the conflict, particularly those within the military-industrial complex. This aligns with President Eisenhower’s warnings back in 1961 regarding the dangers of this complex. We must understand this context and observe how it progresses, especially given President Biden‘s position.”
“Till now, Western powers have advised Israel on humanitarian aid and civilian protections,” Ambassador Fabien continued. “However, President Biden hasn’t explicitly told Prime Minister Netanyahu that if Israel crosses certain red lines, there will be consequences regarding weapon supplies. This lack of firmness from President Biden may embolden Netanyahu, undermining the efficacy of both public and private warnings.”
Sensen added a perspective from Cornell: “While I usually refrain from public commentary on the Middle East or Cornell’s administration, it’s noteworthy that at Cornell, students voted in favor of calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and for divesting from weapons suppliers to Israel. This indicates student support for Cornell taking a public stance on promoting a ceasefire and divesting from companies involved in supplying weapons.”
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