Monday marks one yr since Hamas launched its attack on Israel, igniting Israel's military campaign in Gaza, sparking international outrage and heightened tensions on college campuses across the United States.
Bay Area schools, including Stanford University and UC Berkeley, saw widespread protest camps and student demonstrations, resulting in clashes with police and student arrests.
But a yr later, whilst the war rages on and activists on each side of the conflict say there was a major rise in anti-Semitism and anti-Palestinian rhetoric, tensions on campus are calmer. Whether the postponement is attributable to controversial recent policies within the wake of the unrest or a transient pause as students return from summer vacation is just not entirely clear. The schools are also preparing for renewed protests to mark the anniversary.
Barely two weeks into the autumn semester at Stanford, there have been no signs of the previous White Plaza encampment, and students said the campus was quieter than last spring, when pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested after they gathered within the office of the Presidents had barricaded.
“I feel like I haven’t seen or heard much so far this year,” said Sydney Fast, an 18-year-old freshman.
Sean Webby, spokesman for the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office, said no charges have been filed against the scholars, who were arrested earlier this spring on suspicion of burglary.
School spokeswoman Luisa Rapport said the university was offering programs for the community to “come together” to learn more concerning the conflict and its impact.
At UC Berkeley, known for launching the free speech movement, things were quieter than within the spring, but protest activity remained. Remnants of posters reading “Anti-Zionism is not anti-Semitism” held on campus fixtures. In a tent decorated with a whole lot of Palestinian names, a call to motion went up demanding that the UC withdraw from Israel and that students become involved so that they don't develop into “complicit.” No pro-Israel signage was visible within the square.
Ava Pourasgari, a 19-year-old sophomore, said the college environment has modified for the reason that spring, when nearly 200 tents blocked a bit of Sproul Plaza. Pourasgari said the protests didn't trouble her until protesters began making “eerie noises” like bombs and kids crying, and she or he was stopped on her technique to class by a student who accused her of funding the genocide.
“That was really extreme for me,” Pourasgari said. “Telling me that I funded the genocide is a bit harsh in my opinion because I’m just a student.”
In August, UC President Michael Drake urged campus leaders to crack down on encampments and ban behaviors that may block access to school spaces.
Last month, the UC Board of Regents approved the acquisition of additional military equipment for UC campus police at five campus locations – including Berkeley. They voted earlier this summer to ban employees from posting political statements on the homepages of university web sites, which students and college say is a restriction on free speech.
Cal State University has implemented a brand new policy that sets parameters for student freedom of expression to forestall disruption on campus and prohibit discrimination.
Both systems have also adopted policies prohibiting students from wearing masks or otherwise concealing their identities.
As campuses within the Bay Area quieten down this school yr, some pro-Palestinian activists have criticized the foundations.
“The guidelines are the guidelines. They can change them as many times as they want,” said Banan Abdelrahman, a graduate student at UC Berkeley. “As long as the genocide continues, we will continue to protest.”
Students will face greater restrictions on their freedom of speech and activity this fall, in response to Zahra Billoo, executive director of the San Francisco Bay Area chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
“It seemed like the university administration had been thinking over the summer about, 'How do we deal with future or ongoing student advocacy?' And so the question becomes what it means for universities to suppress debate and protests instead of encouraging them,” she said.
But some Jewish advocates said the new rules were necessary, pointing to an “unprecedented” rise in anti-Semitism on college campuses.
“A year later, Jews everywhere feel unsafe and there is a level of threat that would have been unimaginable before the Hamas massacre,” said Marc Levine, Central Pacific regional director of the Anti-Defamation League.
The Bay Area has been a “hot spot” for anti-Semitism, said Tyler Gregory, CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council.
Earlier this spring, the U.S. House Education Committee launched an investigation into Cal's handling of anti-Semitic incidents on campus.
“We fear that the situation in the Middle East will also worsen here in the Bay Area,” said Gregory, whose team is working with CSU and UC to create a safer environment for Jewish students.
Jewish groups praised four bills recently signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom — including one that would prevent the spread of hateful material and another that would require the CSU to toughen its student code of conduct to ban violence that the intended to impede freedom of expression. However, some pro-Palestinian and First Amendment groups have objected to some of the provisions, fearing they will stifle free speech and dampen student protests.
Dan Mogulof, UC Berkeley's associate vice chancellor for executive communications, said the university is working to balance the “inherent tension” between free expression and making a secure, supportive community.
“Activism is something we not only allow but encourage on the Berkeley campus,” he said. “But as Chancellor (Rich) Lyons has said, we must work to change the culture and educate our students so that activism does not take the form of attacks on the identities of individuals … and that it does so without violence, harassment or discrimination happens.” ”
Marking the one-year anniversary of the spreading war, the Anti-Defamation League said it was preparing for one more surge in anti-Semitic and anti-Israel activity on campus that would surpass what colleges experienced within the spring.
Pourasgari, the sophomore at Berkeley, said she expects tensions to extend on campus in the approaching months because the conflict spreads to Lebanon and Iran.
“I’m just waiting,” she said, “so I expect that to happen.”
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