Palestinian Flag Raised at Harvard University; School Warns Disciplinary Action

The pro-Palestine protests that started at Columbia University have spread across the universities in the USA. The nationwide protest started in response to Israel's attack on Gaza.

Harvard University: Amid the ongoing Israeli military campaign in Gaza, US students are protesting in support of Gaza and they are demanding a ceasefire. The pro-Palestine protestors at the prestigious Harvard University reportedly raised Palestinian flags over the iconic John Harvard statue.

This act by the protestors sparked a controversy as the John Harvard statue is typically reserved for the American flag or flags of visiting foreign dignitaries. Along with the flag raising, the protestors were also chanting “Free, free Palestine” and “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”.

Harvard University warns of disciplinary action

Three Palestinian flags were raised at the campus on Saturday evening, as reported by Harvard Crimson, a student newspaper.

As per the News 18 report, Harvard spokesperson Jonathan L. Swain condemned the action and said that the act was “a violation of University policy." Those who were involved would face disciplinary action, added the spokesperson. The university's staff removed the flags but it increased the tension on the campus.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby told ABC, “We certainly respect the right of peaceful protests."

“We absolutely condemn the anti-Semitism language that we’ve heard of late and certainly condemn all the hate speech and the threats of violence out there," he added.

Portland State University pauses receiving gifts, grants from Boeing

The university witnessed massive protests against Israel’s war in Gaza. The students demanded that their institutions cut ties with Israel and divest from the companies that manufacture weapons, technology and other items in the country. Now, the university has announced that it will pause receiving gifts and grants from the Boeing Company and it will hold a forum to debate the ethics of doing so, said university's President Ann Cudd, as reported by US broadcaster CNN.

“I have heard many students and faculty express that they would like to see PSU cut ties with the company. I initially found these demands confusing and arbitrary: PSU has no investments in Boeing but accepts philanthropic gifts from the company and, given that Boeing is a major employer in the region, many of our alumni work there,” PSU President said in a letter.

Read more:

• Pro-Palestinian protests continue; US Universities turn into "War Zone"
• Indian-Origin Princeton Student Arrested For Pro-Palestine Protests