Protests in support of Palestine erupted at New York University (NYU) on Monday, leading to arrests by the New York Police Department. The protests are part of a wave of campus demonstrations across the country in response to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
An independent review commissioned by the UN has found no evidence to support Israel’s claims that UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) staffers aided Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel. Israel had alleged that UNRWA employees participated in the attack, provided intelligence and logistical support, and allowed Hamas to use agency facilities. However, the review found no evidence to substantiate these claims. Despite the allegations being unsubstantiated, they have resulted in reduced funding for UNRWA and a freeze on US support until next March.
A Jewish Israeli professor at Columbia University was denied access to campus while attempting to join a counter-protest, escalating tensions between pro-Israel and Palestine demonstrators. Despite the university’s efforts to prevent clashes, safety concerns for Jewish students remain. Billionaire Robert Kraft has paused donations to the school over worries about the lack of protection for Jewish students and faculty.
Isra Hirsi, the daughter of Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar, has spoken out about her suspension from Barnard College for her participation in a pro-Palestinian rally. Hirsi’s comments about being homeless and uncertain about her future have drawn criticism from some conservatives, who have questioned the validity of her claims. Hirsi has been a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights and has been critical of Israel’s actions in Gaza. Her suspension has sparked a debate about freedom of speech and the role of universities in addressing political activism.
The State Department is investigating allegations of Israeli human rights abuses and will announce restrictions on military aid for specific units, including one with a high conviction rate for abuses against Palestinian civilians. Secretary of State Blinken said the investigation follows the same standards as for any other country and will consider evidence of possible violations involving U.S. weapons.
An independent review of the U.N. agency assisting Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, has found that Israel never expressed concerns about staff lists provided to them since 2011. The review was conducted after Israel alleged that 12 UNRWA employees participated in Hamas attacks in October 2022. The report cited serious gaps in implementation of neutrality procedures, including staff expressing political views, problematic textbook content, and union disruptions.
PEN America has canceled its annual awards ceremony due to widespread unhappiness over its response to the Israel-Hamas war. Dozens of nominees withdrew from the event, including nine of the 10 finalists for the PEN/Jean Stein Award for best book. The organization said that continuing with the ceremony was not possible under the circumstances.
An independent review of UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, has found that Israel has yet to provide evidence to support its claims that a significant number of agency staff are members of terrorist organizations. The review also found that UNRWA has robust policies in place to ensure staff neutrality, although issues persist.
Israel has rejected the findings, saying that they only provide “cosmetic fixes” and reasserting its position that UNRWA is intertwined with Hamas and cannot play a future role in Gaza.
The 2024 PEN America Literary Awards ceremony has been cancelled due to the withdrawal of 28 nominated authors in protest of the organization’s response to Israel’s war on Gaza. The decision follows backlash from the literary community, who urged finalists and winners to withdraw from the awards. PEN America has announced that the career achievement winners will still receive their awards, but no public ceremony will take place.
Inspired by the Columbia University campus occupation, protest encampments have emerged on at least eight American universities demanding divestment and support for Palestine. The encampments, which started on Wednesday, have been established at Yale University, University of Michigan, New York University, The New School, Tufts University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Emerson College, and Rutgers University.
