Anti-Semitic protest activities are spreading on college campuses in the United States, causing concerns in American society. On Friday, several universities took action and, in collaboration with law enforcement, dismantled anti-Jewish protest camps on their campuses, leading to the detention of multiple individuals.
At Columbia University, the anti-Jewish demonstrations have entered their tenth day. Last week, over 100 people were arrested on the Columbia campus, and tents on the main lawn of the Manhattan campus were removed, only to have protesters quickly return and set up camp again.
According to Reuters, the board of trustees at Columbia University held a meeting on Friday, criticizing President Nemat Minouche Shafik for dismantling the protest camp on campus, claiming that the action “undermined academic freedom.”
In response, Columbia University spokesperson Ben Chang stated that the administrative department and the board share the common goal of restoring campus peace and are committed to “ongoing dialogue.”
A member of the anti-Jewish camp at Columbia University, Khymani James, issued a statement on Friday apologizing for a video he posted on social media in January. In the video, he said, “Jewish Zionists do not deserve to live.”
In his statement, James expressed regret, saying, “What I said was wrong. Every member of our community should unconditionally feel safe.” The university spokesperson mentioned that James has been banned from entering campus and faces disciplinary action.
Recently, from California to Boston, hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters have been arrested on school grounds. These students camped on campuses protesting, demanding that the schools divest from companies associated with the Israeli military.
On Friday, the joint campus of University of Colorado Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and Community College of Denver – Auraria Campus, removed tents set up by protesters on campus, leading to the detention of at least 40 protesters.
Similar anti-Jewish protest activities have spread to campuses outside the United States. On Friday at Sciences Po, a prominent political science institute in Paris, pro-Israel protesters confronted pro-Palestinian students occupying a teaching building, with police separating the two groups.
Just blocks away from the White House at George Washington University, about 200 protesters saw their demonstration enter a second day. The university stated that a few students who refused to leave in violation of school instructions have been suspended and temporarily banned from campus.
Arizona State University reported that three protesters were arrested for unlawfully entering a campsite on the university grounds.
Recently, Jay Hartzell, the chancellor of the University of Texas at Austin, in collaboration with Governor Greg Abbott and the police, dispersed pro-Palestinian protesters. On Friday, Hartzell faced criticism from some staff members.
Nearly 200 university faculty members signed a letter expressing distrust in Hartzell. They claimed that the presence of police in riot gear on horses taking action against protesters caused fear among other students and faculty.
Hartzell stated that his decision was made because the organizers of the protest activities aimed to severely disrupt campus order in the long term.
On Friday morning, thousands of Americans gathered in front of major college campuses to protest and demand the release of Israeli hostages abducted by Hamas.
President Biden this week condemned the anti-Semitic protests and emphasized the need for campus security.
House Speaker Michael Johnson recently criticized Columbia University President Shafik and other university leadership for being too lenient with anti-Jewish protesters, allowing them to harass Jewish students on campus.
On October 7 of last year, Hamas launched terrorist attacks against Israel, resulting in at least 1,200 deaths, 253 abductions, and 130 hostages who remain missing to date.