Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has sparked controversy with his recent comments condemning protests at U.S. universities against Israel’s war in Gaza. In his first public remarks on the subject, Netanyahu labeled the student demonstrators as “horrific” and accused them of being antisemitic.
The protests, which have been ongoing for months at various universities across the country, are in response to Israel’s actions in Gaza following an attack by Hamas. The demonstrators are calling for an end to U.S. military aid to Israel and are urging universities to divest from companies that profit from Israel’s occupation of Palestinian lands.
While organizers of the protests have denounced violence and antisemitism, some participants have used anti-Jewish language and expressed support for Hamas. This has led to tensions on campuses, with some Jewish students feeling unsafe and university leaders grappling with how to balance free speech rights with concerns of antisemitism.
Netanyahu’s comparison of the protests to events in Nazi-era Germany has further inflamed the situation, with the Israeli leader equating the demonstrations to the persecution of Jews in the 1930s. His remarks have drawn criticism from some Republican leaders, who have called for a crackdown on the protests.
The issue has become a political headache for President Biden, as the student protesters and their supporters are key constituencies for the Democratic Party. By framing the protests in stark moral terms, Netanyahu has added pressure on Biden to address the situation.
Overall, the comments from Netanyahu have deepened divisions over the protests and raised questions about how universities and political leaders will respond to the ongoing demonstrations.
