The conflict between Israel and Palestine has a long history of tension and violence. The latest escalation began on October 7, 2023, with a devastating bombardment of Gaza by the Israeli military. This bombardment and invasion of Gaza resulted in the deaths of 34,454 people, including more than 14,500 children and 8,400 women, according to the Hamas-run health ministry and foreign aid workers. In addition, more than 77,575 people were injured, and more than 8,000 are missing.
In the occupied West Bank, tensions between Israeli security forces and Palestinians led to the killing of at least 491 people, including more than 124 children, and injuries to more than 4,800. In Israel, 1,139 people were killed, and at least 8,730 were injured. The conflict sparked widespread protests, both in Israel and internationally, with students at universities around the world staging demonstrations and occupations to demand action against Israel’s actions in Gaza. Efforts to secure a hostage deal and end the conflict have so far been unsuccessful. Overall, the conflict has caused immense loss of life, destruction and sparked global protests and political tensions.
In a resounding echo of justice, university students across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe are rising up against the atrocities inflicted on Palestinians by Israel. This uprising, sparked by the relentless bombardment of Gaza, has ignited a fire of protest on campuses, with students at renowned institutions like Columbia, Harvard, and The New School leading the charge.
The protests are not limited to US universities but have also spread to universities in Europe and other countries. From Paris to Rome, Sydney to Berlin, the rallying cry is clear: end the genocide, cut ties with Israeli institutions, and stop funding the oppression of Palestinians. In Paris, students at Sorbonne University and Sciences Po are calling for French government support for Palestinians despite police intervention.
In Australia, students at the University of Sydney and the University of Melbourne are advocating cutting ties with Israeli institutions. Sapienza University students in Rome are staging demonstrations, while University of Warwick students in the UK are demanding divestment from companies supporting genocide. University of Leicester students are also participating in protests, and in Berlin, protesters are urging Germany to stop arms exports to Israel, leading to the dismantling of a pro-Palestinian camp outside parliament. The students are not just protesting; they are demanding accountability, justice, and an end to the silence that has allowed these atrocities to continue.
In the face of over 3,100 protests in Europe from October 7 last year to the end of April, authorities have tried to suppress these voices of dissent. But the students refuse to be silenced, standing firm in their demand for change. Their actions have forced universities and governments to take notice, with some institutions engaging in negotiations and others facing the consequences of their complicity.
The tactics used by students include disrupting pro-Israeli speaker events, occupying university buildings, strongly campaigning for universities to withdraw investments from companies linked to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian lands, and staging sit-ins and demonstrations outside of their parliament buildings. However, Israel has cried foul over these demands, viewing them as a threat to its security and sovereignty.
The Israeli government perceives these actions as part of a broader anti-Israel agenda that seeks to isolate and weaken the country rather than address the legitimate concerns of the Palestinian people. Israel paints itself as the victim despite the overwhelming evidence of its disproportionate use of force and human rights abuses against the Palestinian population.
These protests are more than a response; they’re a powerful movement – a movement that challenges the very foundations of Western institutions and governments that have turned a blind eye to Israel’s crimes. It’s a movement that exposes the true face of genocide supporters, showing that even their own students will not stand for it. The global nature of these protests could lead to the growth of transnational solidarity movements supporting Palestinian rights, reshaping global political dynamics.
The impact of these protests is already being felt. US universities are reeling from the pressure, with Columbia University establishing a task force after over 100 arrests and USC canceling its main graduation ceremony due to safety concerns. Northeastern University saw a non-confrontational clearing of an encampment by police. The University of Florida has warned protesters of potential consequences. Arizona State University has arrested protesters and dismantled encampments, prohibiting unapproved ones.
In Europe, universities are facing demands to cut ties with Israeli institutions, while others are affirming academic freedom but rejecting an academic boycott of Israel. The young activists are challenging Israel’s harsh occupation policies, discrimination against Palestinians, and use of violence, while also confronting the long-term support for Israel from Western countries like the US, UK, and Europe.
This uprising is not just about the specific issue of Israel’s actions in Gaza; it’s about democracy, human rights, and government accountability. It’s about challenging the status quo and demanding a better world for all. And it’s a reminder that change is possible, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. Democracy cannot prevail if, at the same time, it oppresses millions of Palestinians, deprives them of their rights, and installs among them a population of settlers who enjoy rights and privileges not bestowed on their Arab neighbors.
The students are not alone in this fight. They are part of a global wave of resistance against oppression and injustice. They are the voice of the voiceless, the hope of the oppressed, and the conscience of the world. And they will not rest until justice is served and the people of Palestine are free.
As the protests continue to grow, they are sending a clear message to governments and institutions around the world: the time for silence and complicity is over. The students are leading the way, but they need our support. It’s time for the world to stand with them, to stand up against injustice, and to demand a better future for all. The world is watching to see if Israel will finally heed the call for a just and equitable solution or if it will continue to cling to its narrative of victimhood in the face of mounting global condemnation.
