Pro-Palestinian Protests at Rutgers University
Pro-Palestinian Protests at Rutgers University

Under university agreement, Rutgers students dismantle pro-Gaza tents.

Significantly, after the university granted eight of their demands, Rutgers University students voluntarily disassembled their pro-Gaza solidarity tent camp last Thursday. After just four days, there had been no arrests at the camp, which was a stark contrast to events at Princeton, where 13 protestors were taken into custody and a hunger strike got underway.

After Rutgers promised to do the following, the students consented to take down the tents:

1. Granting scholarships to a minimum of ten Gaza Stripese students to attend Rutgers.
2. Establishing a Rutgers Arab Cultural Center.
3. Forming an enduring academic alliance with Birzeit University located on the West Bank.
4. Referencing “Palestine” and “Palestinians” in upcoming communications about the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
5. Hiring senior executives who are aware of Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian racism, and Arabs, Palestinians, and Muslims.
6. Creating a path for a Department of Middle East Studies and hiring more instructors with expertise in Palestine and Middle Eastern studies.
7. Flying the flags of Kashmiris, Kurds, and Palestinians at every location where there is an international flag.
8. Granting amnesty to everyone detained amid demonstrations in support of Palestine.

Chancellor Francine Conway of Rutgers University said, “This agreement opens the door for ongoing dialogue and better addresses the needs of our Arab, Muslim, and Palestinian student body, which numbers over 7,000.” The university administration acknowledged these agreements.

The last two demands made by the students, however, were rejected by the institution: – Divesting all university investments from Israel.
– Calling off the establishment of a satellite campus of Tel Aviv University in New Brunswick.

Divestment from Israel is a suggestion that Conway stated is “under review.” As the most important steps the university can take, Students for Justice in Palestine pledged to keep advocating for these demands.

Reactions from Republicans and NJ Jewish Groups

Rutgers has been under fire from NJ Jewish organizations and Republican lawmakers for caving in to the demands of the students. A letter signed by more than 700 members of the Rutgers Jewish community threatened to stop donations unless the university rescinded the eight agreements. The four major New Jersey Jewish federations denounced Holloway’s deal as a “shameful capitulation” and demanded that the state step in and remove Rutgers’ financing.

Rutgers’ decision was referred to by Republican Congressman Chris Smith as “an appeasement of antisemitic, anti-Israel, pro-Hamas protesters.” After viewing the encampment on the campus in New Brunswick, he denounced the university for encouraging “unbridled hatred for Jews and the nation of Israel.”

In an announcement regarding his intention to call for a state Legislature inquiry on Rutgers’ acceptance of the demands, Republican state senator Jon Bramnick claimed that the university ought to have waited to interact with the demonstrators until after they had departed the campus. Bramnick presented his own requests for the pro-Gaza demonstrators, which included denouncing Hamas, demanding the release of Israeli hostages, and acknowledging Israel’s right to exist. He also denounced the precedent set by engaging in negotiations with students he labeled as lawbreakers.

Rutgers’ Response to the Demonstrations

Rutgers University delayed the start of its final exam day last week and gave tent holders until 4 p.m. on Thursday to remove them, threatening to call the police if they didn’t comply. The students did what they were told, but not before indicating that they were prepared to be arrested. In order to increase their influence on campus, they rationalized the dismantling of their campsite.

While preserving campus safety and order, President Holloway reaffirmed his commitment to resolving the concerns of the students. He also noted the presence of outside protestors.

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