The rise of American universities; What is the meaning of student accounts?

According to the report of Tasnim International News Agency, the wave of protests in support of Palestine on the campuses of American universities has become wider after the arrest of hundreds of protesters at Columbia University, and after spreading to most universities in this country, it is spreading to universities in other countries.

Protests from Columbia University in New York started 9 days ago (April 17) and the protesting students demanded to end the university's relationship with the Israeli institutions involved in the Gaza war. Protesters in other universities have similar demands. Campus camps that have sprung up across America have brought together students from diverse backgrounds — including Palestinians, Arabs, Jews and Muslims — to denounce Israel's bombing of Gaza.

American experts believe that the university protest movement in the United States has highlighted the generational divide about Israel and demonstrated the willingness of young people to challenge politicians and college administrators across the country.

They argue that the divide (with younger Americans generally more supportive of the Palestinians than generations before them) poses a threat to the re-election chances of 81-year-old Democratic President Joe Biden.

Omar Wasu, assistant professor of political science at the University of California, said in a conversation with Al Jazeera: “We are currently witnessing a generational divide regarding Israel, and this issue will be a problem for the Democratic Party in the long run.” “These protests accelerate the generation gap.”

Students at Columbia University in New York staged a Palestine solidarity camp last week and have since faced arrest and other disciplinary action after the college's administration asked the police to handle the protest. Despite the crackdown, however, similar camps have sprung up across the United States as well as in other countries.

What is the meaning of student accounts?

The main demand of the students is for the universities to disclose their investments and to take back any funds they paid to arms manufacturers and companies linked to the IDF.

Politicians from both major US parties, as well as the White House and pro-Israeli groups, have accused the students of fueling anti-Semitism; Accusations that the protesters vehemently deny.

Aman Abdul Hadi, a sociologist at the University of Chicago, also told Al Jazeera that young people are increasingly frustrated with the current state of affairs in domestic and foreign policy. “I think there's a real dissatisfaction with the older generation,” he said.

He continued: “In American history in general, major changes in public opinion have usually occurred at the same time as, or been initiated by, major student movements. Activism on campus can be the basis for political change. “There's a sense that this is the future.”

Public opinion polls in the United States have shown for years that younger people are more likely to sympathize with the Palestinians and criticize the Israeli regime. But the Americans are generally more critical of Israel's recent behavior with the Palestinians. Multiple polls show that a majority of American respondents support a permanent ceasefire.

The gap between the values ​​of American students and statesmen

But Biden has maintained his staunch support for the Israeli regime, America's main ally in the Middle East, amid the war. The 81-year-old president's stance could be politically costly as Biden faces a tough re-election race in November, which is expected to pit him against Republican rival Donald Trump.

Angus Johnston, a historian of US student activism, explained that the generational divide on Israel is particularly evident among Democrats. “Nationally, we've seen this issue for some time as a disconnect between the values ​​of young voters and most Democratic politicians,” Johnston told Al Jazeera. “And what we're seeing now is a similar disconnect between the youth and many of the administrators who run these colleges.”

Omar Vasu also said that the demonstrations and suppression of American students could increase the apathy towards Biden.

Student protesters are not involved in US partisan politics. Instead, they have emphasized that their desire is to help protect the human rights of Palestinians. So can protests help change US policy?

Historian Johntson states that long-term change is possible, but it doesn't happen overnight. He added, “Time and time again, we've seen student organizing change policy, not always quickly, and not always in the way students had hoped. “But we're seeing that when student organizing is ramped up, it can have a significant impact.”

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