It is an undeniable fact that October 7th has polarised the world in an unprecedented way and the phrase ‘truth is stranger than fiction’ has never been as relevant as it is in the current times. In the past seven and a half months, the world has witnessed an unthinkable series of events, which is akin to a whirlpool of developments and shocking revelations that has brought the almost completely obscured plight of Palestinians and the history of one of the worst modern day human rights violation to the forefront.
A new life was breathed into the freedom movement of the internally displaced and globally abandoned Palestinians living under the apartheid colonial regime when the ‘liberation generation’ i.e., youth joined hands with them.
April 17th, 2024, marked a pivotal moment in the student-led movement for Palestinian rights. At dawn’s early light, a determined group of student peace activists established the Gaza Solidarity Encampment at Columbia University, waving the Palestinian flag and calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire. This bold move sparked a wave of solidarity protests across the United States and Europe, with over 130 colleges and universities joining the cause.
The protests are a response to Israel’s ongoing brutal onslaught on Gaza, which has claimed over 34,000 civilian lives since October 7, 2023. Student activists also demand divestment from Israeli companies and an end to academic relationships with Israeli institutions. They argue that companies doing business with Israel are complicit in its war crimes.
Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD), co-led by over 120 student activist groups, including Jewish Voice for Peace and Students for Justice in Palestine, initiated the protest. Despite university administrators’ attempts to shut down the encampment, students remain resolute in their demands.
The protests have spread like wildfire, with students from Harvard to California State Polytechnic, Humboldt, Amsterdam participating. More than 2,000 demonstrators have been arrested, but the movement shows no signs of abating. Calling the war against Gaza ‘their Vietnam’, these students are drawing parallels with the anti-Vietnam War movement of the 1960s, which also began on college campuses.
During the Vietnam War, which lasted for almost twenty years resulting in millions of deaths, the students played a significant role in anti-war protests and movements. Many students across the United States and around the world actively participated in protests, demonstrations, and sit-ins, calling for an end to the war. Some students faced expulsion or disciplinary actions from universities for their involvement in protests.
Moreover, many students faced police violence, arrests, and intimidation during protests. In 1970, National Guardsmen opened fire on student protesters at Kent State University, killing four students and wounding nine others. This event shocked the nation and fuelled further protests. These student activists played a crucial role in building anti-war organisations, mobilising public opinion, and influencing political discourse.
The student-led anti-war movement contributed significantly to the growing opposition to the Vietnam War, ultimately helping to end the conflict. Despite facing challenges and repression, students remained a vital force in advocating for peace and social change.
History Professor Raschid Khalidi praised these student led movement of the 1960s when he addressed the protesting students at Columbia, saying, ‘The Vietnam War stopped because the people opposed it, and the people who led that were students. Students have been on the right side of history at Columbia and at other universities, ever since the 1960s. One day, what our students did here will be commemorated the same way.’
These anti-war protests have garnered support from over 200 groups, including Jewish US Senator Bernie Sanders and progressive members of Congress. However, they have also faced criticism from President Joe Biden, former president Donald Trump, US governors, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who have labeled the protests as anti-semitic.
Interestingly, the pro-Palestinian Jewish student demonstrators worldwide have insisted that the protests are not anti-semitic.
In an interview on Al Jazeera, Jacob, an American Jewish student leader representing Students for Justice in Palestine debunked this myth by stating, ‘They are using Judaism, weaponising my religion to commit mass atrocities. Anti-zionism is not anti-semiticism.’
Some universities have reached agreements with protesting students. Evergreen State College, the alma mater of American student Rachel Corrie who was killed by an Israeli bulldozer in Gaza in March 2003, became the first university to set up task forces to assess investment policies and the possibility of divestment, and look at whether the school’s policies regarding grants help governments engaged in illegal occupations abroad. Other universities that promised to meet the demands of their students include Northwestern University, Brown University, University of Minnesota, and Rutgers University.
In the UK, Goldsmiths, University of London conceded to the five demands of activists who have held protests throughout the war in Gaza. Action led by the Goldsmiths for Palestine group has resulted in scholarships for Palestinian students and a commitment towards an ethical investment policy.
As the movement continues to grow, students remain steadfast in their demands for justice and human rights. In the words of Nawar Diab, a Palestinian from Gaza, ‘The American students’ protests and solidarity with Palestine and Gaza gave us a glimpse of hope. They didn’t leave us alone. They didn’t leave us feeling helpless.’
The silence in the Arab world is deafening. Against the wishes of their people, the democratic, republican, and monarchical Arab states surrendered the Palestinian cause and established diplomatic ties with Israel in recent years. Moreover, political repression combined with fear of backlash and a divided political landscape are some of the key factors we do not see similar expressions of solidarity with Palestinians in the Arab countries and their universities. It is worth mentioning here that there are indeed different forms of support from Arab individuals through diplomatic channels, humanitarian aid, and other subtle means like social media.
While students in Pakistan are indeed actively protesting and showing solidarity with Gaza, the level of organisation and coordination differs compared to their counterparts in the US and Europe. Social media has helped bridge the gap allowing them to connect with international movements and amplify their voices.
Another eye-opening incidence took place at Asma Jehangir Conference in Lahore when the German Ambassador lost his cool at a student protester calling for action, and shouted at him to go outside. The Ambassador’s reaction was widely criticised on all social media platforms as many seeing it as an attempt to silence the student’s peaceful protest and stifle free speech.
We also witnessed the complicit silence of the Pakistani elite when renowned performing artist Sheema Kermani was escorted out after she raised the slogan ‘Ceasefire Now’ at the birthday celebration of King Charles III held at the British Deputy High Commission in Karachi. Sheema Kermani did not get any support by other Pakistani attendees who sat motionless, silently watching her being escorted out.
By protesting for Gaza, students have become an integral part of a broader movement for justice, human rights, and equality, leaving a lasting impact on the global conversation about Palestine and its people. This is a historically significant time to be alive, and students are choosing to be on the right side of history. Will their efforts bring about lasting change? Only time will tell. The future lies in the past student movements.
‘There used to be a middle class here – recently. We also get reports that in the past, Gazan flower shipments to Europe were delayed for two weeks at the Erez crossing for security inspections. You can imagine the value of two-week-old cut flowers in the European market, so that market dried up. And then the bulldozers come and take out people’s vegetable farms and gardens. What is left for people? Tell me if you can think of anything. I can’t.’
— Rachel Corrie (February 2003, Gaza Strip)
The contributor is a filmmaker based in UK and an independent writer.
