In a significant concession, Hamas political official Khalil al-Hayya suggests the Islamic terror group could agree to a five-year or longer truce with Israel and disarm if an independent Palestinian state is established within pre-1967 borders. Hamas would also join the Palestine Liberation Organization and establish a unified government with the rival Fatah faction.
Protests have intensified across multiple US university campuses in response to Israel’s ongoing war with Gaza. Police have detained numerous protesters, including 20 at the University of Texas at Austin and a Palestinian student organizer at the University of Southern California. The protests, which initially centered at Columbia University, have spread to Harvard, USC, and other institutions.
Amidst the ongoing tensions between Hamas and Israel, students across the United States have been galvanizing on campus to demand accountability and express solidarity with Palestinians. This surge in campus activism was triggered by Columbia University’s decision to involve the New York Police Department in removing pro-Palestinian protesters from campus, leading to the arrest of 108 demonstrators. The protests have spread to institutions nationwide, including New York University, Yale University, and the University of California, Berkeley. Organizers maintain that the demonstrations have been instrumental in pressuring administrations to consider divestment from Israel, despite opposition from some conservative politicians. Columbia University remains the epicenter of the protests, with ongoing discussions between student representatives and university officials. The situation has highlighted the complex issues of safety, freedom of expression, and university leadership in navigating contentious political issues.
A video tweeted by former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has highlighted the confusion among some protesters at New York University (NYU) regarding the purpose of their pro-Palestine demonstrations. In the video, one protester admitted to not knowing what NYU was doing or why they were protesting against Israel. Another protester expressed a desire to be more educated about the situation. The incident has drawn criticism, with Giuliani slamming the protesters as “terribly misguided people.” The protests, which have taken place at multiple US universities, have been ongoing for weeks. They have intensified after a number of arrests were made across multiple varsities. Videos on social media have shown police using force to disperse demonstrations at the University of Texas’s Austin campus and the University of Southern California. The students have rallied behind Palestine and criticized US President Joe Biden for his handling of the Israel-Gaza war.
Alec Baldwin, known for his fiery temper, has once again sparked controversy after a video surfaced showing him slapping away an artist’s phone at a coffee shop near his New York City home. The incident occurred when Crackhead Barney approached Baldwin, demanding that he declare “free Palestine” and bringing up the fatal “Rust” shooting in which Baldwin accidentally killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Baldwin lost his composure and asked employees to remove Barney, ultimately taking matters into his own hands. This latest outburst comes amid Baldwin’s ongoing legal troubles stemming from the “Rust” tragedy and a history of public altercations.
After facing backlash over collaborating with Hillary Clinton on a musical, Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai reaffirmed her support for Palestine. She condemned Israel’s violations of international law and war crimes, urging world leaders to enforce accountability. Yousafzai expressed solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, highlighting the necessity of humanitarian aid and a ceasefire. Despite criticism for her partnership with Clinton, Yousafzai remains steadfast in her advocacy for justice and an end to violence.
Police at the University of Southern California (USC) removed several tents set up by protesters as part of a pro-Palestinian demonstration on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The incident involved a physical altercation between police and protesters, resulting in the detention of one individual. The protest follows a series of similar demonstrations on college campuses across the U.S. in response to the recent Israel-Hamas conflict.
Protests by pro-Palestine students have led to the arrest of 26 people at the University of Texas in Austin. The protests, which have also taken place at New York University and Columbia University, demand that their universities divest from companies supplying Israel with weapons used in its attack on Gaza. The Texas Governor, Greg Abbott, has expressed support for the arrests, stating that anti-Semitism will not be tolerated in Texas and that students participating in such protests should be expelled. The arrests have been met with mixed reactions, with some condemning the authorities’ actions and others applauding their stance against hate and anti-Semitism. More information is expected to be released as the story develops.
Students at Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts, have joined a growing movement of college campuses across the United States in demanding that their institutions sever ties with Israel. The protests have been sparked by the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 people in Gaza. Students at Emerson College have set up an encampment in an alleyway on campus, where they are calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and for the college to disclose all of its financial ties to Israel. The students have been joined by supporters from other universities, including MIT and Harvard. The protests have been peaceful, but Emerson College officials have warned students that they may face disciplinary action if they continue to violate city ordinances.
President Joe Biden has signed into law a $94 billion foreign funding bill that includes military aid for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan. The bill, which passed in both the House and Senate with overwhelming support, provides Israel with $17 billion in additional aid despite ongoing concerns about human rights abuses in Gaza. The Biden administration has defended the aid, stating that it is necessary to help Israel defend itself against Iran. However, Palestinian rights advocates have denounced the bill, accusing the US of complicity in Israeli war crimes.
