1. Pro-Palestinian protests decline on campuses
2. US college graduations marred by defiant acts.
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A small group of Duke University graduates caused a stir at their commencement ceremony in North Carolina by protesting the presence of pro-Israel comedian Jerry Seinfeld. Approximately 30 out of the 7,000 students in attendance stood up and chanted “free Palestine” while Seinfeld received an honorary doctorate from the university. The demonstration, which included waving Palestinian flags, sparked a mix of reactions from the audience, with some cheering and others booing.
Seinfeld, best known for his hit sitcom “Seinfeld” and his recent role in the Netflix movie “Unfrosted,” has been vocal in his support for Israel, particularly in the wake of the country’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza. The comedian’s stance on the issue has drawn criticism from some student activists, leading to the protest at Duke’s graduation ceremony.
The demonstration at Duke is just one example of a larger trend of campus activism around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the United States. In recent weeks, student protests calling for divestment from Israel and businesses with ties to the country have resulted in arrests at multiple colleges and universities across the country.
At Pomona College in Southern California, protesters set up an encampment on the ceremony stage, prompting the school to move the event to a different location with increased security measures. Similar protests took place at Columbia University, where demonstrations inspired other campuses to cancel or alter their graduation ceremonies.
While some attendees expressed frustration with the disruptions caused by the protests, others showed solidarity with the Palestinian cause. At Emerson College in Boston, students made symbolic gestures of support for Palestine during their graduation ceremony, including displaying messages on their mortar boards and clothing.
The protests at various universities highlight the ongoing debate around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the role of academic institutions in addressing contentious political issues. As students continue to advocate for divestment and solidarity with Palestine, universities are faced with navigating these complex and sensitive issues within their campus communities.
Overall, the demonstrations at graduation ceremonies across the U.S. this weekend underscore the deep divisions and impassioned activism surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on college campuses.
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1. Pro-Palestinian protests on campuses
2. US college graduations marked by defiant acts.
