American students are bothered by the suffering of the Palestinians, reports the journalist | iRADIO

The protests are taking place at about 13 major American universities and are interconnected, so one can speak of a nationwide student movement. Along with the cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, the students’ main demand is that their school cut ties with Israeli universities with which it collaborates on research or exchange programs.

Listen to Jan Bumba’s Interview Plus. The guest is Jana Ciglerová, editor of Deník N

“At the same time, they want universities to reveal financial ties to anyone who profits from Israel’s retaliation against Hamas. None of the universities have done this yet,” Ciglerová adds, adding that such a move would significantly affect the schools.

The journalist explains that graduates, especially of the most prestigious schools, are used to supporting their alma mater financially. Specifically, Columbia University has a large group of students, graduates and sponsors of Jewish origin who are concerned about the development and many are ending their cooperation.

Jewish students at American universities, on the other hand, speak of the threats and intimidation they face from pro-Palestinian protesters. According to Ciglerová, anti-Semitism stemming from historical, family or religious roots is also contained in the protests. However, the interpretation of some slogans, which are considered anti-Semitic by Jewish protesters, is disputed.

For example, it is the well-known slogan “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”, which Columbia University Rector Nemat Shafik refused to call anti-Semitic in front of congressmen.

Does origin matter?

Cigler believes that the majority of students at American universities are not pro-Palestinian, but rather anti-Israel:

“The war bothers them. They are bothered by Israel’s retaliatory bombing of Gaza and the disproportionate suffering of its residents. On the one hand, 1,200 Israelis died, on the other hand, according to the Hamas-led Ministry of Health in Gaza, 33,000 people died and almost 80,000 were injured,” the journalist compares the numbers of victims.

The core of the protests initially consisted of students who have Middle Eastern roots or study the region academically. And pointing out the origin of the students is another problematic aspect of the protests, according to Ciglerová.

“Since when does it matter where someone is from and where their parents were born? America is trying to eradicate this so that everyone is treated without prejudice. Now the unresolved dispute in the Middle East has been transferred to the academic field and to the United States,” he states.

According to her, young people have a natural tendency to side with what they see as the weaker side, in this case the Palestinians. In addition, everything is amplified by the issue of the Middle East and the approaching presidential elections, when politicians from all parts of the spectrum are trying to score points for themselves.

“So far, the protests are taking place mainly among young people, but the consequences they will have for American society will last long after the last tent is cleared from the grounds of Columbia University,” concludes Ciglerová.

How are the protests similar to the student demonstrations against the Vietnam War? Listen to the full interview on Interview Plus.

Jan Bumba, ert

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