Results for: Anti-Israel protests

A group of House Republicans, led by Rep. Jim Banks and House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, introduced a bill called the No Tax Dollars For College Encampments Act. The bill aims to force colleges to be transparent about their policies on campus protests and ensure they are fairly enforced, following a wave of anti-Israel protests on campuses across the country. The bill comes after incidents of antisemitism and disruptions to campus life during the protests, sparking concerns among Jewish students and prompting investigations by House GOP.

Thousands of anti-Israel protesters gathered outside the White House, expressing outrage over President Biden’s support of Israel and its conduct in Gaza. The demonstrators argued that Israel had crossed a “red line” of “genocide” and demanded an arms embargo. Meanwhile, Israel conducted a successful hostage rescue mission, saving the lives of four Israeli citizens captured during Hamas’ October 7 attack. Despite the successful operation, the protesters remained defiant, chanting slogans against Zionism and calling for Israel to be wiped off the map.

Anti-Israel protesters gathered outside the White House on Saturday, defacing statues, throwing objects at park rangers, and shouting slogans against President Biden’s support for Israel. The protest initially started peacefully but soon turned hostile, with demonstrators targeting park rangers and vandalizing a statue of Andrew Jackson. The demonstration was organized by Act Now to Stop War and End Racism (ANSWER), and several barriers were erected around the White House ahead of the event. Some protesters expressed frustration with Biden’s policies, and at least eight White House staffers have resigned due to their opposition to his stance on the Gaza war.

Steven Thrasher, an associate professor of journalism at Northwestern University, has been espousing anti-Israel rhetoric and justifying Hamas terrorists’ actions since October 2021. Thrasher’s social media posts have drawn criticism from Jewish groups and Republican lawmakers, who accuse him of fostering a hostile environment for Jewish students on campus. Thrasher is scheduled to appear before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce on Thursday to answer questions about his actions.

During a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, anti-Israel agitators interrupted Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s testimony regarding the department’s budget request. The protesters voiced accusations of human rights violations and chanted slogans, leading to their removal from the hearing room by Capitol police. Secretary Blinken expressed concern over the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) decision to pursue arrest warrants against Israeli leaders, emphasizing its potential to hinder peace negotiations.

Several undergraduate Jewish students have experienced disruptions and cancellations of their college graduation ceremonies amidst anti-Israel unrest on campuses nationwide. These students shared their experiences with Fox News Digital, expressing disappointment and frustration over the antisemitism and intimidation they faced. Amidst the protests, some students have reported being cyberbullied and harassed for displaying Israeli flags or expressing support for Israel. University administrations have faced criticism for allowing these disruptions and some students have even had their commencement speeches interrupted by anti-Israel agitators.

The Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) has announced plans to raise at least $5 million and launch a $15 million independent expenditure campaign in support of former President Trump’s 2024 presidential bid. This effort, described as the organization’s largest ever, comes amidst ongoing anti-Israel protests on college campuses and concerns within the Jewish community about rising antisemitism. RJC national political director Sam Markstein emphasized that the community is highly energized and eager to ‘turn the page’ from President Biden’s perceived failures and broken promises.

An undercover investigation by Accuracy in Media has revealed the involvement of a communist organization in anti-Israel protests on the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). The operative, known as “Annie,” identified herself as a member of the Revolutionary Communist Party (Revcom), a radical-left group that seeks to overthrow the US government. She admitted to organizing and participating in the protests, describing her fellow communists as “comrades.” Police at UCLA cleared the massive anti-Israel demonstration, arresting over 130 protesters, many of whom were not students. The investigation suggests that these protests are being coordinated by outside agitators and supported by progressive donors, including George Soros and other liberal megadonors.

Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) has criticized former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for her comments about anti-Israel protesters, calling them “dismissive of students’ concerns.” Clinton had accused protesters of being ignorant about Middle Eastern affairs, while Van Hollen argued that they had valid reasons for their protests, such as the humanitarian crisis and high civilian death toll in Gaza. Van Hollen emphasized the right to peaceful protest and the need to ensure students’ safety on campus, while also condemning antisemitism and hate wherever it occurs.

Senate Republicans are calling for an investigation into the tax-exempt status of several organizations that have supported anti-Israel protests on college campuses. The groups in question include Americans for Justice in Palestine Educational Foundation (AJP), the Tides Foundation, and the Westchester Peace Action Committee Foundation (WESPAC). The Republicans allege that these organizations may be violating their tax-exempt status by supporting illegal activities and antisemitic language at protests.