• Activists and students take part in an encampment protest at George Washington University, in Washington. AFP
    Activists and students take part in an encampment protest at George Washington University, in Washington. AFP
  • Students and faculty of Drexel University and University of Pennsylvania erect an encapment to protest against the war in Gaza, at the University of Pennsylvania campus, in Philadelphia. AFP
    Students and faculty of Drexel University and University of Pennsylvania erect an encapment to protest against the war in Gaza, at the University of Pennsylvania campus, in Philadelphia. AFP
  • Columbia University students continue their demonstration on campus afterlast week's arrest of more than 100 protesters, in New York City. Getty Images
    Columbia University students continue their demonstration on campus afterlast week's arrest of more than 100 protesters, in New York City. Getty Images
  • Police watch as students and faculty show support at a Protect Palestine Rally at the University of Texas, in Austin. EPA
    Police watch as students and faculty show support at a Protect Palestine Rally at the University of Texas, in Austin. EPA
  • A student is arrested during a pro-Palestine demonstration at the University of Texas at Austin. Getty Images
    A student is arrested during a pro-Palestine demonstration at the University of Texas at Austin. Getty Images
  • Students rally at the University of Texas at Austin, where police arrested scores of protesters. Getty images
    Students rally at the University of Texas at Austin, where police arrested scores of protesters. Getty images
  • Mounted police confront students protesting against the war in Gaza, at the University of Texas at Austin. Getty Images
    Mounted police confront students protesting against the war in Gaza, at the University of Texas at Austin. Getty Images
  • Pro-Palestine demonstrators argue with University of Southern California officials, who attempted to take down an encampment set up in support of Gaza, at the institution in Los Angeles. Getty images
    Pro-Palestine demonstrators argue with University of Southern California officials, who attempted to take down an encampment set up in support of Gaza, at the institution in Los Angeles. Getty images
  • University of Southern California police officers detain a pro-Palestine demonstrator. Getty Images
    University of Southern California police officers detain a pro-Palestine demonstrator. Getty Images
  • University of Southern California officers dismantle protesters' tents. EPA
    University of Southern California officers dismantle protesters' tents. EPA
  • Police stand guard at an entrance to Columbia University, in New York City, where students continue to protest in support of Palestinians, amid the war in Gaza. Reuters
    Police stand guard at an entrance to Columbia University, in New York City, where students continue to protest in support of Palestinians, amid the war in Gaza. Reuters
  • Najla Said, daughter of Palestinian-American academic and literary critic Edward Said, and Motaz Azaiza, a Palestinian photojournalist from Gaza, join the Gaza solidarity encampment at Columbia University. Photo: Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine
    Najla Said, daughter of Palestinian-American academic and literary critic Edward Said, and Motaz Azaiza, a Palestinian photojournalist from Gaza, join the Gaza solidarity encampment at Columbia University. Photo: Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine
  • As the campus protests continue, Columbia has moved its classes online. AFP
    As the campus protests continue, Columbia has moved its classes online. AFP
  • Workers erect a wooden barrier at New York University Stern School of Business after an encampment set up by students was cleared out on Monday night. Getty Images
    Workers erect a wooden barrier at New York University Stern School of Business after an encampment set up by students was cleared out on Monday night. Getty Images
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology student Isa Liggans, front left, takes part in Muslim prayer with others, at an encampment of tents at the college, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. AP
    Massachusetts Institute of Technology student Isa Liggans, front left, takes part in Muslim prayer with others, at an encampment of tents at the college, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. AP
  • Police officers disperse pro-Palestinian students and protesters who set up an encampment on the campus of New York University. AFP
    Police officers disperse pro-Palestinian students and protesters who set up an encampment on the campus of New York University. AFP
  • A protester outside New York University. Reuters
    A protester outside New York University. Reuters
  • Pro-Palestinian protesters gather in front of Sproul Hall on the campus of the University of California, Berkeley. AP
    Pro-Palestinian protesters gather in front of Sproul Hall on the campus of the University of California, Berkeley. AP
  • Pro-Israeli demonstrators chant 'shame' after Columbia University assistant professor Shai Davidai was denied access to the main campus. AP
    Pro-Israeli demonstrators chant 'shame' after Columbia University assistant professor Shai Davidai was denied access to the main campus. AP
  • A tent used by pro-Palestinian demonstrators at MIT. Bloomberg
    A tent used by pro-Palestinian demonstrators at MIT. Bloomberg
  • A coalition of University of Michigan students rally to pressure the university to divest its endowment from companies that support Israel. Reuters
    A coalition of University of Michigan students rally to pressure the university to divest its endowment from companies that support Israel. Reuters
  • A sign at the University of Michigan. Reuters
    A sign at the University of Michigan. Reuters
  • A pro-Palestinian protester in front of Sproul Hall in Berkeley, California. Getty Images / AP
    A pro-Palestinian protester in front of Sproul Hall in Berkeley, California. Getty Images / AP
  • NYPD officers detain pro-Palestinian students and protesters who had set up an encampment on the campus of New York University (NYU) to protest the Israel-Hamas war, in New York on April 22, 2024. Universities have become the focus of intense cultural debate in the United States since the October 7 Hamas attack and Israel's overwhelming military response to it. (Photo by Alex Kent / AFP)
    NYPD officers detain pro-Palestinian students and protesters who had set up an encampment on the campus of New York University (NYU) to protest the Israel-Hamas war, in New York on April 22, 2024. Universities have become the focus of intense cultural debate in the United States since the October 7 Hamas attack and Israel's overwhelming military response to it. (Photo by Alex Kent / AFP)
  • Police in Riot gear stand guard as demonstrators chant slogans outside the Columbia University campus. AP
    Police in Riot gear stand guard as demonstrators chant slogans outside the Columbia University campus. AP
  • Pro-Palestinian students and activists protest against the Israel-Gaza war on the campus of New York University. AFP
    Pro-Palestinian students and activists protest against the Israel-Gaza war on the campus of New York University. AFP

Which US universities have protests against the Israel-Gaza war?


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Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza

A fast-building wave of protests reminiscent of the anti-Vietnam War movement is sweeping universities across the US in response to the Israel-Gaza war, leading to hundreds of arrests and forcing some institutions to mandate remote learning and final exams.

The protests have been brewing for months, but picked up steam after more than 100 pro-Palestinian demonstrators who camped out on Columbia University's upper Manhattan campus were arrested in mid-April.

Here is a look at where some of the largest protests are happening:

Columbia University

The elite private university in New York City has called in police twice in two weeks to respond to pro-Palestine student protesters calling for Columbia to divest from Israeli companies and cut ties with Israeli institutions.

A group of students had set up tents on one of the university's lawns early on April 17 to form what they called a “Gaza Solidarity Encampment”. Barnard, a women's college that is part of Columbia, has also been active in the protest.

After police cleared the camp and arrested more than 100 people, a new encampment maintained a physical presence on campus while facing threats of intervention by the National Guard and claims of anti-Semitism.

Columbia University has a history of protest, most notably in 1968, when hundreds of students angry about racism and the Vietnam War occupied five campus buildings.

The university called police again on April 30 to clear the encampment and a new student occupation of an academic building, which resulted in more than 100 arrests.

The president also asked that there be a police presence on campus until after the term ends and commencement takes place. The university announced that classes have been moved online.

Yale University

At Yale, in New Haven, Connecticut, police arrested 60 people including 47 students early on April 22, after university president Peter Salovey cited “harmful acts and threatening language used against individuals at or near the protest sites”.

The arrests came more than a week after a group of graduate students began a hunger strike to pressure the famed Ivy League school to divest from companies arming and equipping Israel.

The student group Hunger Strikers for Palestine had written to Mr Salovey, accusing Yale of “complicity in genocide” in Gaza and demanding that he publicly commit to ending the university's investments in arms firms.

A protest group continued a camp without tents to comply with campus rules, but with sleeping bags and protest signs, until April 29, a Faculty for Justice in Palestine member at Yale told The National.

New York University

Police said 133 protesters were taken into custody on disorderly conduct charges late on April 22 after a protest camp was set up on the plaza in front of New York University's business school.

An NYU spokesman said the demonstration was held without notice or authorisation. The state university called in police to clear the demonstration after additional protesters, many not affiliated with NYU, joined in.

Campus authorities boarded up the plaza with plywood, and students started another tent camp at another plaza on April 26. The universities warned that participants would be disciplined.

On the East Coast

Also in New York, protests and encampments were reported at The New School, the Fashion Institute of Technology and CUNY City College.

Massachusetts, the US state known for its many academic institutions, has had several protest camps.

More than a dozen tents were set up by students on a campus lawn at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge. Members claim the school has direct funding from Israel's Ministry of Defence.

Harvard University students pitched tents on the Harvard Yard, a day after the school banned the Palestine Solidarity Committee group from operating, and days after the school limited access to the lawn.

Emerson College students set up tents in an alley near academic buildings in downtown Boston, before it was cleared by police, resulting in around 100 arrests.

Encampments in the Boston area were also seen at Northeastern University and Tufts University.

Also in the north-east region, pro-Palestine camps were seen at Princeton University in New Jersey and Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.

Also on the East Coast, students gathered at George Washington University in the nation's capital, multiple University of North Carolina campuses, as well as Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.

In the Midwest region

Protesters set up more than 30 tents and continued holding a physical presence on the central part of the University of Michigan's Ann Arbor campus called the Diag for two weeks.

Police cleared an encampment at the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus on May 1, which resulted in 34 arrests. Protesters set up tents almost immediately afterwards.

Nine anti-war protesters at the University of Minnesota were arrested after police took down a camp a couple of hours after it was set up in front of the library.

There were also pro-Palestine camps and protests at Northwestern University in Illinois, Washington University in St Louis, Missouri, University of Colorado in Denver, Ohio State University and Indiana University.

In the South, a large group of students at University of Texas, Austin, occupied a part of the South Mall lawn. More than 50 people were arrested when the camp was cleared by police. The charges for UT Austin students were later dropped.

Protests have continued at the Austin campus and a second police crackdown resulted in 79 arrests on April 29.

The University of Texas, Dallas, also had a sit-in take place over two nights in April before it dispersed. A new encampment was set up on May 1.

On the West Coast

University of California, Los Angeles, saw clashes take place between protests around the pro-Palestine camp through late April, but these reached a fever pitch on April 30.

News reports and social media video showed Israel supporters attacking the anti-war encampment before police were called to the scene.

University of California, Berkeley, students pitched tents on its Sproul Plaza to continue its call for the university system to divest from indirectly funding Israel and set up a Palestinian studies programme.

At the University of Southern California, some protesters set up tents on the Alumni Park lawn before it was cleared by local law enforcement. More than 90 people were arrested and the campus was briefly closed. The school has cancelled commencement after cancelling a speech by the Muslim valedictorian.

Student demonstrators occupied and barricaded buildings that forced a campus shutdown at California State Polytechnic University in Humboldt for more than a week. Police cracked down on April 30 and arrested 25 people.

Outside the US

Pro-Palestine rallies have been held at Sciences Po in France, which has a dual-degree relationship with Columbia University. Protesters demanded that the school cut ties with universities and companies involved in Israel's war on Gaza.

Camps against Israel's war on Gaza also popped up at the McGill University campus in Montreal, Canada, and Sydney University in Australia.

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

Karwaan

Producer: Ronnie Screwvala

Director: Akarsh Khurana

Starring: Irrfan Khan, Dulquer Salmaan, Mithila Palkar

Rating: 4/5

IF YOU GO

The flights

FlyDubai flies direct from Dubai to Skopje in five hours from Dh1,314 return including taxes. Hourly buses from Skopje to Ohrid take three hours.

The tours

English-speaking guided tours of Ohrid town and the surrounding area are organised by Cultura 365; these cost €90 (Dh386) for a one-day trip including driver and guide and €100 a day (Dh429) for two people. 

The hotels

Villa St Sofija in the old town of Ohrid, twin room from $54 (Dh198) a night.

St Naum Monastery, on the lake 30km south of Ohrid town, has updated its pilgrims' quarters into a modern 3-star hotel, with rooms overlooking the monastery courtyard and lake. Double room from $60 (Dh 220) a night.

 

'Manmarziyaan' (Colour Yellow Productions, Phantom Films)
Director: Anurag Kashyap​​​​​​​
Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal​​​​​​​
Rating: 3.5/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE

Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.

In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
  • Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000 
  • Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000 
  • Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000 
  • Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000 
  • HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000 
  • Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000 
  • Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000 
  • Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000 
  • Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000 
  • Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000 
  • Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000 
  • Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
  • Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
  • Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000

Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
​​​​​​​Penguin Press

Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
From Zero

Artist: Linkin Park

Label: Warner Records

Number of tracks: 11

Rating: 4/5

Director: Laxman Utekar

Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna

Rating: 1/5

Roll of honour: Who won what in 2018/19?

West Asia Premiership: Winners – Bahrain; Runners-up – Dubai Exiles

UAE Premiership: Winners – Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners-up  Jebel Ali Dragons

Dubai Rugby Sevens: Winners – Dubai Hurricanes; Runners-up – Abu Dhabi Harlequins

UAE Conference: Winners  Dubai Tigers; Runners-up  Al Ain Amblers

The biog

Name: Abeer Al Shahi

Emirate: Sharjah – Khor Fakkan

Education: Master’s degree in special education, preparing for a PhD in philosophy.

Favourite activities: Bungee jumping

Favourite quote: “My people and I will not settle for anything less than first place” – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.

Correspondents

By Tim Murphy

(Grove Press)

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20NOTHING%20PHONE%20(2)
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206.7%E2%80%9D%20LPTO%20Amoled%2C%202412%20x%201080%2C%20394ppi%2C%20HDR10%2B%2C%20Corning%20Gorilla%20Glass%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Qualcomm%20Snapdragon%208%2B%20Gen%202%2C%20octa-core%3B%20Adreno%20730%20GPU%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208%2F12GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECapacity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20128%2F256%2F512GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPlatform%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Android%2013%2C%20Nothing%20OS%202%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMain%20camera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual%2050MP%20wide%2C%20f%2F1.9%20%2B%2050MP%20ultrawide%2C%20f%2F2.2%3B%20OIS%2C%20auto-focus%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMain%20camera%20video%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204K%20%40%2030%2F60fps%2C%201080p%20%40%2030%2F60fps%3B%20live%20HDR%2C%20OIS%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFront%20camera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2032MP%20wide%2C%20f%2F2.5%2C%20HDR%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFront%20camera%20video%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Full-HD%20%40%2030fps%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204700mAh%3B%20full%20charge%20in%2055m%20w%2F%2045w%20charger%3B%20Qi%20wireless%2C%20dual%20charging%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wi-Fi%2C%20Bluetooth%205.3%2C%20NFC%20(Google%20Pay)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBiometrics%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Fingerprint%2C%20face%20unlock%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%2FO%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20USB-C%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDurability%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20IP54%2C%20limited%20protection%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECards%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual-nano%20SIM%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColours%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dark%20grey%2C%20white%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nothing%20Phone%20(2)%2C%20USB-C-to-USB-C%20cable%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%20(UAE)%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dh2%2C499%20(12GB%2F256GB)%20%2F%20Dh2%2C799%20(12GB%2F512GB)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Abu Dhabi GP schedule

Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm

Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm

Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm

Red flags
  • Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
  • Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
  • Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
  • Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
  • Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

Updated: May 01, 2024, 10:03 PM