Protests against Israel are growing, with people hitting the streets in Brooklyn and US universities. They want the fighting in Gaza to end and are speaking out against civilian harm. These protests are becoming more common, especially at East Coast universities. In the US, where support for Israel has been strong, people are now unhappy with the situation. The protests have been following President Joe Biden, who backs Israel. They’re not just on campus; some turn into big events with music and prayers.
In Brooklyn, tensions rose when police started making arrests. Some say this is silencing free speech and academic freedom. Critics, including politicians, call the protests anti-Semitic. But others see them as raising awareness about human rights. At Columbia University, there’s a large protest camp. And at the University of California, Berkeley, students set up tents in solidarity. Some Jewish and Israeli students feel targeted with hate, making them feel unsafe. In New York, over 120 people were arrested at New York University, and more than 100 at Columbia University.
Protesters want universities to stop backing Israel and for the US to only help them militarily if they improve conditions for Palestinians. In Brooklyn, around 2,000 people gathered near a politician’s home, demanding he stop supporting Israel and what they see as “genocide”. During the protests, there’s music and speeches. One speaker, Naomi Klein, said it’s time to rethink Jewish identity and stop supporting Israel’s actions.
