Texas police disband an antisemitic protest at University of Texas, Austin

Islamists & Marxists Using Israel To Justify Rise In Campus Antisemitism

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The Judean Staff
International

Following Columbia University's call earlier this month for a leadership investigation, over 40 U.S. campuses have seen the rise of pro-Palestine protest camps, according to the New York Times. While many protests are peaceful, advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza and urging divestment from firms linked to Israel, a significant number have escalated into anti-Semitic incidents, leading to numerous arrests. However, much of the anti-Israel/Jewish sentiment that appears to be taking over universities is an illusion created by the organizers of the encampents as a recent development in Columbia University dispelled the notion that the student body were overwhelmingly backing the protests.

Protest actions have varied across institutions. At Emerson College in Boston and Ohio State University, significant arrests were made, with clashes occasionally turning violent. Columbia University itself has been a focal point, with its university Senate voting 62-14 for a probe into President Minouche Shafik’s actions during the protests. Shafik has faced criticism for her decision to involve the NYPD to dismantle a campus encampment, which resulted in over 100 student arrests.

Meanwhile, Columbia's senate expressed concerns about the administration's handling of the situation, suggesting it might have compromised academic freedom and transparency. Despite the turmoil, the Student Government elected a pro-Israel Zionist as the next semester's President, indicating a division in student opinion regarding the protests. The Senate is comprised of mostly professors and a few students, and their power is quite limited. However, the student government, while also limited in power, is a body elected by students and reflects the leanings of the broader student body.

In response to the ongoing unrest, Columbia's administration has committed to restoring calm and continuing dialogue with the community. Yet, the student protesters remain firm on their divestment demands which many see as extortion. Israeli professor Shai Davidoff was told earlier last week that he was not welcome on campus, using the excuse that it was for his safety, meanwhile Islamists and antisemites have been welcome on campus, even those who have no affiliation with the univeristy. 

Progressive anti-Israel activists, including those at New York City's Columbia University, have been linked to far-left groups, some of which receive funding from sources associated with liberal mega-donor George Soros. In addition, many are also being fueled by Islamist groups that are linked to the American Muslims for Palestine which has extremist connections and is thought to be affiliated with the banned, Muslim Brotherhood.

The National Students for Justice in Palestine (NSJP), which has around 200 independent chapters, has been notably active at Columbia University recently. They have stated they will disengage from discussions with university officials unless assurances are given against arrests or forced removals from their encampment on the campus.

NSJP is supported by the Westchester Peace Action Committee Foundation (WESPAC), a fiscal sponsor. This group, as reported by Fox News Digital, received significant funding from a nonprofit within the George Soros network. WESPAC, which has been criticized for its opaque funding sources, has long voiced strong criticisms against Israel, accusing it of apartheid, ethnic cleansing, collective punishment, and war crimes, as noted by NGO Monitor.

Influence Watch reports that NSJP has consistently drawn parallels between Israel’s actions in Palestine and historical atrocities like those of Nazi Germany and the Jim Crow laws in the U.S. They have also accused Israel of genocide and have been active in circulating messages sympathetic to Hamas, especially since the October 7 attacks.

At Emory University in Atlanta, the situation escalated when police used rubber bullets and tear gas on masked protesters who were chanting for genocide against Israel. with some carrying signs implying Hitler was correct, leading to the arrest of two professors who were actively supporting the students. Similar forceful encounters occurred at other universities, including Ohio State and Emerson College, where protests in support of Palestinian rights led to numerous arrests.

This series of events underscores a nationwide wave of solidarity protests, which have also included universities like Northwestern, Cornell, and Harvard, among others. As campuses across the country continue to grapple with these issues, the debate intensifies, reflecting the complex interplay of academic freedom, student activism, and geopolitical engagement.

Highlighting the antisemitic nature of the protests and the invovlement of progressive or outright Marxist professors, at Northwestern University, tensions have recently intensified surrounding issues of free speech and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, highlighting the complex dynamics at play within academic settings. This conflict came to a head when Mona Dugo, the Dean of Students, attended a protest that targeted Hillel, the university's center for Jewish student life. The protest, organized by anti-Israel activists, coincided with the university's Admitted Students Day, an event designed to welcome prospective students.

During the protest, organizers vocally criticized the university's association with Hillel, alleging that it conflates Jewish identity with Zionist beliefs. They argued that this linkage contributes to what they perceive as systemic biases within the university against pro-Palestinian viewpoints. The protesters distributed leaflets accusing the university of manipulating anti-Semitism allegations to suppress pro-Palestinian voices and called for an end to partnerships with what they termed "Zionist companies."

The rally's timing and messaging drew sharp criticism, particularly because it featured contentious accusations, including claims of "genocide" attributed to Israel. These assertions have been a source of significant controversy, not only at Northwestern but within the broader academic community and beyond, reflecting the heated debate over definitions and use of such terms in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Dean Dugo's presence at the protest was stated to be in support of the principles of free speech and the right to protest. However, her participation has been met with strong backlash from various quarters, including alumni and Jewish community leaders. Critics, like Richard Goldberg, a Northwestern alumnus and senior adviser for the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, argue that the university's administration is tacitly endorsing anti-Semitism through inaction and the visible support of figures like Dugo.

In response to the unfolding events, calls for more decisive action have been growing louder. Alumni groups, Jewish student organizations, and other stakeholders are pressing for greater accountability and urging the university leadership to actively support Jewish and Zionist students on campus. They argue that such support is essential to ensure a balanced and inclusive environment that respects and protects all viewpoints.

This incident at Northwestern is indicative of the broader challenges facing many universities today, where the interplay of free speech, academic freedom, and the responsibility to maintain a respectful and inclusive campus environment is increasingly complex and contentious.

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