In a statement, Sanders refuted claims that such protests were anti-Semitic or pro-Hamas. He pointed out that in the past six months, the Israeli government had killed 34,000 Palestinians and wounded over 77,000, with 70% of the casualties being women and children.

The tension escalated after pro-Palestine students at Harvard University initiated an encampment, joining other universities across the country in demanding a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu responded with a video message, labeling the situation on American campuses as "horrific" due to alleged anti-Semitic mobs.

Sanders emphasized that it was not anti-Semitic to highlight the devastating impact of Israeli bombings in Gaza. Over 221,000 housing units have been destroyed, leaving more than a million people homeless. Gaza's civilian infrastructure has also been obliterated, including the destruction of all 12 universities and 56 schools, affecting 625,000 students.

Furthermore, Sanders supported humanitarian organizations' reports that Israel unreasonably blocked aid from reaching Gaza. He urged Netanyahu not to distract from the immoral and illegal war policies of his government by invoking anti-Semitism.

Protests against Israel's offensive in Gaza have spread across the US, with over 100 arrests at Columbia University in New York. House Speaker Mike Johnson faced student backlash during a recent visit, calling for the resignation of University President Minouche Shafik.

The ongoing israeli genocide has left over 34,300 Palestinians dead, severely injured nearly 77,300, and pushed 85% of Gaza's population into internal displacement.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has accused Israel of genocide and issued an interim ruling in January, demanding an end to genocidal acts and ensuring humanitarian assistance for civilians in Gaza. (ILKHA)