Protests and encampments at US college campuses in solidarity with Gaza
Dozens of students and staff at several United States universities have been arrested while protesting against Israel's war on Gaza.
‘I do not feel threatened as a Jewish faculty member in any way’
A Jewish-American professor at Columbia University defended student protesters calling for the end of Israel’s war on Gaza and divestment from companies that provide it with war-related products.
“I do not feel that this project is anti-Semitic in any way. I do feel that the students are highly critical of Israeli politics,” said Susan Bernofsky. “And I do not feel threatened as a Jewish faculty member in any way by what’s happening on this campus – except by the arrest of many of our students.”
On a visit to the campus, US House Speaker Mike Johnson called on Columbia’s president to resign “if she cannot bring order to this chaos”.
“If this is not contained quickly and if these threats and intimidation are not stopped, there is an appropriate time for the National Guard,” said Johnson, who was repeatedly heckled.
A Columbia spokesman said rumours that the university threatened to bring in the National Guard were unfounded. “Our focus is to restore order and if we can get there through dialogue we will,” said Ben Chang.
