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Rabat – As protests erupt across US campuses to express solidarity with Gaza, President Joe Biden has finally spoken out after two weeks of silence, urging for a restoration of order amidst escalating tensions.
Biden’s address comes in the wake of a surge in student mobilization against the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip. The demonstrations have taken place at over forty universities nationwide, reminiscent of historic protests against the Vietnam War.
President Biden’s delayed response, occurring six months ahead of pivotal elections, underscores the gravity of the situation in a polarized America, where issues such as these hold significant sway.
The call for order follows a series of confrontations between police forces and pro-Palestinian demonstrators, notably at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where police have arrested scores of students after forcibly dismantling their encampment.
“We are not an authoritarian country that silences people,” Biden asserted, aiming to strike a balance between upholding democratic freedoms and maintaining public order.
Critics, including former President Donald Trump, have lambasted Biden for what they perceive as inaction towards the burgeoning pro-Palestinian movement. In particular, Trump has taken to labeling the pro-Palestinian demonstrators as “crazies from the radical left.”
Read also: Israel Continues Merciless Campaign in Gaza, Death Toll Nears 35,000
The wave of mobilization for Gaza has gained momentum since April 17, with demands ranging from university divestment from Israeli-linked entities to a condemnation of U.S. support for Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
Tensions reached a boiling point at UCLA as protesters were arrested and their encampment dismantled by authorities, leading to clashes between demonstrators and counter-protesters.
Graeme Blair, a political science professor at UCLA, criticized the handling of the situation, citing missed opportunities for de-escalation by university officials and law enforcement.
While some universities, including Brown University, have engaged in dialogue with protesters and offered potential concessions, others have resorted to forceful measures to quell dissent.
The ripple effects of the U.S. protests are being felt globally, inspiring pro-Palestinian activism in countries such as France, Canada, Switzerland, and Mexico, where “solidarity with Gaza” demonstrations have erupted in the past few days.
