Dozens arrested at pro-Palestinian US campus protest
Dozens arrested at pro-Palestinian US campus protest (Photo: AP)
Around 30 demonstrators were arrested after they occupied an engineering building at the University of Washington , the college said Tuesday, as part of a pro-Palestinian protest The Students United for Palestinian Equality and Return (SUPER) group said it was calling on the US university to cut its ties with Boeing over the aerospace giant's military contracts and weapons supply to the war in Gaza.The engineering building had received a $10 million donation from Boeing, according to the website of the university, located in the Pacific Northwest."A number of individuals temporarily occupied the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building and created a dangerous environment in and around the building" on Monday evening, the university said in a statement."Individuals who mostly covered their faces blocked access to two streets outside the building, blocked entrances and exits to the building and ignited fires in two dumpsters on a street outside."Law enforcement agencies cleared the building around 11:00 pm (0600 GMT Tuesday)."About 30 individuals who occupied the building were arrested" the university said, adding that charges would include "trespassing, property destruction and disorderly conduct, and conspiracy to commit all three."A SUPER group spokesperson, Oliver Marchant, told ABC News that all people who had entered the building were arrested.The group said on Facebook that Boeing had received access to UW's campus, research facilities and student labor in exchange for its donations to the university.The university said a student organization had been suspended and condemned its actions as "antisemitic," without specifying which group.The University of Washington "strongly condemns this illegal building occupation and the antisemitic statement that was issued by a suspended student group," it said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
29 minutes ago
- NDTV
Gaza Militia Leader Yasser Abu Shabab Denies Israeli Ties, Urges Hamas To Step Down
Yasser Abu Shabab, the controversial leader of an armed militia in Gaza, has denied working with Israel, insisting his group's mission is to protect Palestinian civilians from Hamas. The remarks, shared through Israeli Army Radio, the Center for Peace Communications, and CNN, come amid growing scrutiny over Israel's alleged support for rival factions inside Gaza. "We do not work with Israel. Our goal is to protect the Palestinians from Hamas terror," he was quoted as saying in a series of text messages to Army Radio. "Our weapons are not from Israel, they are simple arms we collected from the local population." He added, "These rumours are meant to harm our reputation and create hostility between us, Israel, and Arab states." Abu Shabab told CNN that his group, called the 'Popular Forces', has local citizens who "volunteered to protect humanitarian aid from looting and corruption." While Abu Shabab insists his group acts independently, Israeli defence sources confirmed last week that Israel is secretly arming local clans in Gaza, including Abu Shabab's, to weaken Hamas. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the move, saying security forces "activated clans in Gaza which oppose Hamas," without naming Abu Shabab, as per The Times Of Israel. Israeli officials also told CNN that Abu Shabab was part of the programme. He responded, saying, "Our forces do not engage in any form of communication with the Israeli army, neither directly nor indirectly." "If any coordination takes place it will be humanitarian, for the benefit of our people in eastern Rafah, and will be carried out through mediation channels," he added. In an audio clip published by the New York-based Center for Peace Communications, authenticity unverified, a voice identified as Abu Shabab's said, "We are not working with the occupation," while calling on Hamas to "step down from government." Abu Shabab told CNN his group's gear is "extremely basic, passed down by volunteers from their forefathers or assembled from limited local resources." Once linked to drug smuggling and extremist groups like Daesh, Abu Shabab has rebranded as a civilian protector in Gaza. Social media videos show his fighters unloading aid and building camps in Israeli-controlled zones, raising questions about his movements. A late-May video, verified by CNN, shows him near the Kerem Shalom crossing speaking with a Red Cross official. Muhammad Shehada, a Gaza analyst at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said, "It's nearly impossible this is being done inside Gaza. It's probably someone outside that is running this entire psy-op." Hamas, which reportedly killed Abu Shabab's brother last year, has condemned him as a "traitor and gangster." A recent statement by the group pledged to "continue confronting the dens of that criminal and his gang, no matter the cost." Abu Shabab claims his group operates under "Palestinian legitimacy," hinting at ties with the Palestinian Authority, though the PA has not confirmed this. His militia has expanded recently, building tent camps in eastern Rafah and urging displaced families to return with promises of food, shelter, and security. He said his fighters escorted 101 aid trucks, mostly from the World Food Programme. "Protecting vulnerable civilians is one of our top priorities," he told CNN. The US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation denied any connection, saying none of their workers are armed or linked to Abu Shabab's group.
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
Gaza-bound boat with Greta Thunberg on board arrives in Israel after its seizure
A Gaza-bound aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg and other activists arrived at an Israeli port Monday after Israeli forces stopped and detained them — enforcing a longstanding blockade of the Palestinian territory that had been tightened during the Israel-Hamas boat, accompanied by Israel's navy, arrived in Ashdod in the evening, according to Israel's Foreign Ministry. It published a photo on social media of Thunberg after 12 activists were undergoing medical checks to ensure they are in good health, the ministry said. They were expected to be held at a detention facility in Ramle before being deported, according to Adalah, a legal rights group representing them. The activists had set out to protest Israel's military campaign in Gaza, which is amongst the deadliest and most destructive since World War II, and its restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid. Both have put the territory of around 2 million Palestinians at risk of Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which organised the voyage, said the activists were 'kidnapped by Israeli forces' while trying to deliver desperately needed aid."The ship was unlawfully boarded, its unarmed civilian crew abducted and its life-saving cargo — including baby formula, food and medical supplies — confiscated," it said in a said the ship was seized in international waters about 200 kilometers (120 miles) from Gaza, and Adalah asserted that Israel had "no legal authority" to take it Foreign Ministry portrayed the voyage as a public relations stunt, saying on social media that "the 'selfie yacht' of the 'celebrities' is safely making its way to the shores of Israel."It said the activists would return to their home countries and the aid would be sent to Gaza through established channels. It circulated footage of what appeared to be Israeli military personnel handing out sandwiches and water to the activists, who were wearing life SAYS BOAT WAS CARRYING MINIMAL AIDIsraeli officials said the flotilla carried what amounted to less than a truckload of aid."This wasn't humanitarian aid. It's Instagram activism," Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer said. "Meanwhile, Israel has delivered over 1,200 truckloads in the last two weeks. So who's really feeding Gaza and who's really feeding their own ego? Greta was not bringing aid, she was bringing herself."After its two and half month total blockade aimed at pressuring Hamas, Israel started allowing some basic aid into Gaza last month, but humanitarian workers and experts have warned of famine unless the blockade is lifted and Israel ends its military offensive. About 600 trucks of aid entered daily during the ceasefire that Israel ended in attempt last month by Freedom Flotilla to reach Gaza by sea failed after two drones attacked the vessel in international waters off Malta, organisers said. The group blamed Israel for the attack, which damaged the ship's front GROUP QUESTIONS ISRAEL'S SEIZUREThe Madleen set sail from Sicily a week ago. Along the way, it stopped on Thursday to rescue four migrants who had jumped overboard to avoid being detained by Libya'a coast guard."I urge all my friends, family and comrades to put pressure on the Swedish government to release me and the others as soon as possible," Thunberg said in a prerecorded message released after the ship was the rights group, said in a statement that "the arrest of the unarmed activists, who operated in a civilian manner to provide humanitarian aid, amounts to a serious breach of international law."Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament who is of Palestinian descent, was amongst those on board. She has been barred from entering Israel because of her opposition to Israeli policies toward the was amongst six French citizens on board. French President Emmanuel Macron called for consular protection and the repatriation of the French citizens."Most of all, France calls for a ceasefire as quickly as possible and the lifting of the humanitarian blockade. This is a scandal, unacceptable, that is playing out in Gaza. What's been happening since early March is a disgrace, a disgrace," Macron saidNext week, Macron co-hosts a conference at the UN on a two-state solution and recently said France should move toward recognising a Palestinian Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said the crew and passengers were aware of the risks, Swedish news agency TT reported. Stenergard said the ministry's assessment was that no one was in danger and there was no need for consular 18-YEAR BLOCKADE ON GAZAIsrael and Egypt have imposed varying degrees of a blockade on Gaza since Hamas seized power from rival Palestinian forces in 2007. Israel says the blockade is needed to prevent Hamas from importing arms, while critics say it amounts to collective punishment of Gaza's Palestinian sealed off Gaza from all aid in the early days of the war ignited by the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, but later relented under US pressure. In early March, shortly before Israel ended a ceasefire with Hamas, the country again blocked all imports, including food, fuel and militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in the Oct. 7 attack and abducted 251 hostages. Most have been released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Hamas still holds 55 hostages, more than half believed to be military campaign has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which doesn't distinguish between civilians and combatants but has said that women and children make up most of the war has destroyed vast areas of Gaza and displaced around 90% of the population, leaving people almost completely dependent on international to broker another truce have been deadlocked for months. Hamas says it will only release the remaining hostages in exchange for a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal. Israel has vowed to continue the war until all the captives are returned and Hamas is defeated, or disarmed and Watch
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
French president Macron says Gaza humanitarian blockade a ‘scandal', calls for release of activists
French President Emmanuel Macron called on Israel to quickly free activists, including Greta Thunberg, on a boat that was seized Monday as it headed for Gaza in an operation that sparked angry protests in several European cities. Tens of thousands of people staged rallies after Israel stopped the boat, the Madleen, that was carrying 12 activists. In France, rallies in Paris and at least five other cities were called by left wing parties. Jean-Luc Melenchon, head of the France Unbowed (LFI) party, called the seizure of the Gaza boat by the Israeli military "international piracy". In Switzerland, several hundred people blocked train stations in Geneva and Lausanne to protest Israel's military operations in Gaza, media reports said. Some 300 protesters carrying Palestinian flags occupied two tracks at Geneva's main station for about an hour, leading to delays and cancellations, the reports said. A similar protest was staged in nearby Lausanne where police cleared the tracks. Macron meanwhile urged the immediate liberation of French nationals among the 12 activists on the vessel. Macron had "requested that the six French nationals be allowed to return to France as soon as possible," his office said. France was "vigilant" and "stands by all its nationals when they are in danger," he added. The French government had also called on Israel to ensure the "protection" of the activists. Macron also called the humanitarian blockade of Gaza "a scandal" and a "disgrace". Israel's foreign ministry said earlier that "all the passengers of the 'selfie yacht' are safe and unharmed", and it expected the activists to return to their home countries. Israel has virtually sealed off Gaza as part of its military operation in the Palestinian territory since the Hamas militant group's attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023.
