NEW YORK, United States: Classes at America’s Columbia University were shifted online on Monday as protests over the Israel invasion of Gaza flared up tensions on US campuses and led to dozens of arrests at Yale University.
As a large group of protesters has established a “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” on Columbia lawns, some Jewish students at the New York institution have reported intimidation and anti-Semitism amid the days-long protest.
Columbia’s president Nemat Shafik, in an open letter to the university community, said there needed to be “a reset.”
She further said that over the past days, there have been too many examples of intimidating and harassing behaviour on the campus.
She made it clear that anti-Semitic language, like any other language that is used to hurt and frighten people, is unacceptable and warned that appropriate action will be taken.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators began a demonstration last week demanding the university divest companies associated with Israel.
More than 100 of them were arrested after university officials called police to the private compound on Thursday, a move that appears to have raised tensions and increased attendance over the weekend.
Protests also spread to MIT, New York University, the University of Michigan and Yale and at least 47 people were arrested on Monday after requests to disperse were refused.
“The university made the decision to arrest those individuals who would not leave the plaza with the safety and security of the entire Yale community in mind and to allow access to university facilities by all members of our community,” the Ivy League university said in a statement.
It warned the students that those arrested will be referred for Yale disciplinary action, that includes a range of sanctions, such as reprimand, suspension or probation.
Universities in the United States have become the focus of intense cultural debate since the Hamas-Israel war broke out.
