A wave of anti-Israel protests has descended upon U.S. campuses in recent days, with an encampment at the University of Chicago gaining attention due to the presence of Bill Ayers, a former Weather Underground co-founder. Ayers, who has a history of militant activism and alleged involvement in bombings, spoke at the encampment, which formed on the Main Quadrangle of the university on Monday.
Ayers’ appearance comes amidst a wider crackdown on the protests by universities. Columbia University suspended students who refused to leave the encampments, leading to a riot inside an academic building used by university officials. Police have also been deployed to clear protests at Columbia, Harvard, and Yale.
The protests are part of a growing movement on campuses against Israel’s treatment of Palestinians. The encampments, which have been set up in solidarity with Palestinians, have drawn condemnation from university administrators and Jewish student groups, who argue that they create an unsafe environment for Jewish students.
Amidst the crackdowns, some universities have also begun investigating allegations of antisemitism linked to the protests. Columbia University is looking into reports of antisemitic graffiti and verbal harassment directed at Jewish students. These incidents have raised concerns about a resurgence of antisemitism on campuses, which has been amplified by the recent flare-up in violence between Israel and Palestinian militant groups.
