President Israel: ‘US universities are infected with hatred and anti-Semitism’ | RTL News

Unrest has recently arisen at American universities due to persistent protests against the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip. Herzog sees in these protests that prominent academic institutions are being ‘infected with hatred and anti-Semitism’. He expressed his support for Jewish students at universities.

Several students arrested

The actions at universities have also led to much discussion in the United States itself. Organizers say the actions are peaceful. Critics also believe they hear anti-Semitic and intimidating slogans.

Just yesterday, several students were arrested at the prestigious Columbia University in New York after a pro-Palestinian protest:

On the other side of the US, at the University of California, police are trying to clear a pro-Palestinian protest camp. The barrier surrounding the camp has been partly dismantled. American media report several arrests.

Images from American media show officers in protective clothing removing fences and planks. The camp consists of dozens of tents. Hundreds of demonstrators are staying there. There are also demonstrators near the camp, carrying Palestinian flags and chanting slogans that the police should be ashamed. Police used flash grenades to disperse the crowd outside the camp.

Attack counter-protesters

There are hundreds of officers present. The large police presence comes after criticism from the day before. The camp, which was set up last week, was attacked by counter-protesters in the night from Tuesday to Wednesday. Fighting broke out and journalists reported that security forces on the scene did not intervene. The unrest lasted for hours and fifteen people were injured. According to critics, the police responded too slowly to the violence.

Students at Columbia University in New York who still participate in the protests can expect to be suspended.

Days of negotiations

Rector Nemat Minouche Shafik said in a statement that there were negotiations between student organizations and the university board for days, but that they ultimately did not lead to the removal of the camp.

The university had warned all students on Monday morning that they must leave the protest camp by 2 p.m. They also had to sign a form in which they agreed to adhere to the rules under penalty of suspension.

Meanwhile, fighting continues in Gaza. According to the latest figures from the Palestinian health ministry, more than 34,500 people have now been killed.

Some 78,000 Palestinians have also been injured since the Israeli offensive began on October 7 in response to the Hamas attack that killed nearly 1,200 people.