London- Protests in support of Palestinians during the Israeli-Hamas conflict in Gaza have spread to college campuses in the United States and across the globe. Demonstrations have emerged on campuses at major universities in the Arab and Western world as the conflict continues.
In Lebanon, hundreds of students gathered at university campuses in Beirut this week, demanding the university cut all ties with Israel. Israel has engaged in conflict with the Lebanon-based Hezbollah group, a Hamas ally supported by Iran, since the war started on Oct. 7. The conflict began with a terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel, resulting in casualties and hostages.
Inspired by protests in the U.S., students at the American University in Lebanon stood in solidarity with Palestinian protesters. In Jordan, thousands of protesters demonstrated in solidarity with Palestinians, but Jordanian authorities cracked down on university activists, leading to arrests and expulsions.
In the UK, mass demonstrations have taken place on university campuses, with protesters calling for universities to sever ties with Israel and weapons manufacturers supporting Israel’s war efforts. In France, clashes between protesters and riot police have occurred at Sciences Po Paris, with protests scheduled at universities across the country.
In Australia, sit-in protests have occurred in cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Canberra, mirroring the protests at U.S. universities. Students have called for universities to divest from Israel and disclose ties with weapons manufacturers. Reports of antisemitism have surfaced at university protests in Australia.
Closer to the U.S., student protesters set up a camp at the University of Toronto in Canada, demanding divestment from assets that support Israeli actions in Palestine. The activists echo demands for universities to sever ties with Israel and weapons manufacturers. The spread of protests globally highlights the ongoing support for Palestinian rights amid the conflict with Israel.