Campus Chaos: Anti-Semitism on Display in Protests at U.S. Universities

College campuses across America have become a hotbed of controversy as university presidents succumb to demands from a small group of Israel-hating protesters. This trend signals the breakdown of order in society, particularly at prestigious institutions that once commanded respect but now display cowardice instead. Arrests have surged at numerous universities, including NYU and USC, following mass disruption across campuses caused by outside agitators paralyzing one institution after another. At Columbia University, negotiations with demonstrating students and faculty members who advocate for the destruction of Israel dragged on for a week until impasse forced closure and shift to online classes, resulting in many Jewish students fleeing campus. The White House has been mum about Biden’s stance towards this issue despite claiming that he denounces antisemitism; however, his comments have not had enough impact due to the way they were delivered during a press conference when questioned by journalists. Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers who visited Columbia criticized demonstrators before Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana called for resignation from school President Minouche Shafik following her tepid response to chants demanding the killing of Jews and White people alike. The situation is further complicated as some Democrats debate how far criticism against Israel can go without crossing a line into antisemitism, while student organizers denounce such sentiments or attribute them to outside activists. Trump has accused Biden’s administration of being unable to maintain order due to the eruption of campus protests across America; however, this is not just about disruption but also anti-Semitic harassment that Jewish students face on campuses. The New York Times suggests tensions within the Democratic Party over balancing free speech rights with support for Palestinians and concerns regarding antisemtism among some Jews in America. Most Americans share these anxieties, regardless of their religion or political affiliation, as incidents like those witnessed at Columbia University are a part of an ongoing trend that has damaged Biden’s standing due to the anti-Israel stance held by many younger Democrats. Free speech is essential; however, the recent protests led by defiant protesters demanding for universities divesting funds from any company involved with Israel demonstrate a concerning escalation as such actions encroach upon school territory. At Columbia University’s protest campground on campus, temporary suspensions are issued to disruptors instead of outright expulsion, further perpetuating the ongoing impasse between authorities and protesters that continues to unfold daily across numerous university sites throughout America today.