Global student protests demand accountability for israeli atrocities in Gaza

From the United States to Switzerland, university campuses have become the epicenters of activism, with students calling for an end to the violence and accountability for Israeli actions.

In the United States, demonstrations have taken place on over 40 university campuses since April 17. Protesters have set up encampments to voice their opposition to the Israeli actions in Gaza and demand divestment from Israel and companies profiting from Palestinian suffering. Nearly 2,000 people have been detained, according to U.S. media. Police have forcibly dismantled several student encampments, including one at New York University.

France has also seen its share of protests. Police forcibly evacuated protesters from a pro-Gaza sit-in at Sciences Po in Paris, arresting 91 people. Meanwhile, administrators at Paris-Dauphine University overturned a ban on a conference featuring Franco-Palestinian expert in international law, Rima Hassan.

In Germany, police intervened to evacuate protesters outside Humboldt University in central Berlin. Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner criticized the protest, stating that the city did not want to see events like those in the U.S. or France.

Canadian students have protested in several cities, including Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver. The largest camp, at Montreal's McGill University, has vowed to remain until McGill cuts all financial and academic ties with Israel.

Australian students at Sydney University have been camped for 10 days, demanding the university cut ties with Israeli institutions and reject funding from arms companies.

In Ireland, students at Trinity College Dublin University began a sit-in, describing the protest as a "solidarity encampment with Palestine."

Mexican students from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) have set up a camp in the capital, chanting "Free Palestine" and other slogans calling for justice for the Palestinian people. They are calling on the Mexican government to sever all ties with Israel.

In Switzerland, about 100 students have been occupying the entrance of a building at Lausanne University since Thursday, calling for an academic boycott of Israel and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. (ILKHA)