Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota visited a Columbia University protest encampment against Israel’s actions in Gaza, where she suggested that some Jewish students supported genocide. She rejected claims that the protests were anti-Semitic, noting that many participants were Jewish. Republicans such as House speaker Mike Johnson also visited Columbia, with some accusing the pro-Palestinian protesters of being endorsed by Hamas. Democratic representatives like Jared Moskowitz of Florida likened some protesters to white nationalists, while Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein was arrested at Washington University in St. Louis along with other protesters.
As pro-Palestinian student protests spread and intensified following a police crackdown at Columbia, various politicians have visited college campuses to show support or condemnation. The protests have become intertwined with American politics, with many elected officials taking sides on the issue. Representative Ilhan Omar’s comment about some Jewish students being pro-genocide received backlash, with the Anti-Defamation League criticizing it as “blood libel.” Senator Bernie Sanders defended Omar, highlighting the need to oppose anti-Semitism while also addressing the situation in Gaza.
The campus visits began with a group of pro-Israel Democrats, including Representative Moskowitz and others, who shared concerns about comments made during the protests. There has been a divide between peaceful student encampments involving many Jewish participants and demonstrations off-campus where some anti-Semitic comments were made. House speaker Mike Johnson visited Columbia and called for the National Guard to be brought in, citing concerns about anti-Semitism and the need for federal funding to be revoked from universities that can’t control the situation.
The escalation of protests was triggered by Columbia President Minouche Shafik’s testimony before a congressional panel led by Representative Elise Stefanik, who accused colleges of failing to combat anti-Semitism. Shafik called the NYPD to break up a pro-Palestinian encampment, leading to over 100 student arrests. The protests quickly spread to other campuses across the country, drawing attention from various politicians. Representatives from the progressive “Squad,” including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jamaal Bowman, expressed support for the protesters at Columbia.
At Washington University in St. Louis, Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein was arrested along with other protesters. The wave of campus protests and political visits underscore the importance of the issue in American politics and society. There are differing views on the situation in Gaza and the protests, with some politicians supporting the pro-Palestinian demonstrators while others condemn them for perceived ties to Hamas and anti-Semitism. The campus visits have become part of the larger story of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its impact on American universities and political discourse.
