U.S. universities

Pro-Palestinian protesters build barricades at Amsterdam university

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Pro-Palestinian protesters build barricades at Amsterdam university

Pro-Palestinian protesters at the University of Amsterdam built barricades using desks and railings to block the entrance until the institution severs all ties with Israel. Riot police knocked down barricades at another UvA site and detained 169 people. The protesters are part of a wave of sit-ins and actions at universities in Europe against Israel’s war in Gaza. The university has exchange programs with three universities in Israel halted due to security concerns and cooperates with Israeli scientists or companies in eight European research projects. Ireland’s Trinity College Dublin announced it would divest from Israeli companies linked to settlements in occupied Palestinian territory following student protests.

Police clear pro-Palestinian encampment at University of Southern California

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Police clear pro-Palestinian encampment at University of Southern California

Los Angeles police cleared a pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of Southern California without making arrests on Sunday following turmoil at universities across the United States over the Israel-Hamas war. USC President Carol Folt requested police intervention as the occupation was spiraling in a dangerous direction. The camp was cleared peacefully in 64 minutes. At UCLA, Chancellor Gene Block announced the creation of a new Office of Campus Safety after clashes between pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian demonstrators. Senator Bernie Sanders compared campus protests to those against the Vietnam War. A student at the University of Mississippi was expelled for making racist gestures towards a Black female protester. At the University of Texas in Austin, pro-Palestinian demonstrators rallied peacefully, calling for universities to divest from Israel and push for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Houthis offer education to students suspended in US protest crackdown

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Houthis offer education to students suspended in US protest crackdown

Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi militia is offering a place for U.S. students suspended from universities for supporting Palestinians in the Gaza conflict. The students have been protesting against Israel’s actions in Gaza and calling on President Biden to intervene. Sanaa University, run by the Houthis, is welcoming these students to continue their studies in Yemen, condemning suppression of freedom of expression at U.S. and European universities. The offer has sparked sarcasm among Yemenis on social media.

Blinken says Gaza protests a hallmark of democracy, decries ‘silence’ on Hamas

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Blinken says Gaza protests a hallmark of democracy, decries ‘silence’ on Hamas

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken supports the protests at U.S. universities over the war in Gaza as a hallmark of American democracy. He criticized the “silence” about Palestinian militant group Hamas, urging critics to focus on them as the ones who sparked the conflict. Blinken met with Chinese officials to discuss their role in global crises, including calming tensions in the Middle East and discouraging Iran and its proxies from escalating the conflict. China is the main buyer of oil from Iran, which is under sanctions. They agreed to remain in regular contact on this issue.