Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Sparks Mixed Reactions on U.S. Campuses

The Israel-Hamas war sparked protests on U.S. campuses, with students divided over a ceasefire announcement.

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Ceasefire Sparks Mixed Reactions on U.S. College Campuses

The recent ceasefire and hostage-release agreement between Israel and Hamas has stirred a variety of emotions across college campuses in the United States. Since the conflict in Gaza surged on October 7, 2023, students have been deeply divided, but the new developments have prompted diverse reactions.

For some, like Wayne State University sophomore Mayah Goel, the news brought a mix of nervous excitement. She gathered with members of Hillel, a Jewish student organization, discussing the joy families would feel upon the hostages’ return. However, Goel expressed apprehension about the potential consequences of releasing approximately a thousand Palestinian detainees, some with convictions for killing Israelis. “It is a high price to pay,” she remarked, concerned about possible future actions of the released prisoners.

Other students share Goel’s concerns but hold a cautious hope for improved campus dynamics. Boston University senior Akiva Zeff expressed a desire for the deal to de-escalate intense accusations like genocide and war crimes. “I can only hope that this simmers down,” he said, emphasizing the need for nuanced discussions.

Meanwhile, MIT senior Alex Edwards, reflecting on past protests and encampments on his campus, voiced that such demonstrations are distractions from learning. “I don’t think demanding that MIT cuts ties with Israel is going to change Israel’s policies,” Edwards stated.

Conversely, some student activists see the agreement as a victory and a catalyst for ongoing advocacy. Mahmoud Muheisen, cofounder of the Muslim Coalition at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, celebrated by driving around with a Palestinian flag. He insists that their movement, which predates October 7, will persist beyond the ceasefire. “The message is that this didn’t start on October 7, and the fight for justice doesn’t end on January 15,” Muheisen affirmed.

Muheisen further noted that over two dozen students plan to run for roles within Michigan’s state Democratic Party, feeling let down by national Democrats. He believes the struggle is intensifying rather than diminishing.

Similarly, Barnard College junior Marie Adele Grosso sees the ceasefire as a pivotal step for pro-Palestinian activists. She aims to continue advocating for divestment and reducing U.S. support for Israel, while also addressing complex issues of settler colonial violence. “We will be working hard on explaining more complex settler colonial violence, and hopefully people will keep showing up,” she stated.

While calls for a ceasefire may have united many, the ongoing dialogue hopes to foster deeper understanding of the intricate issues at hand, a sentiment echoed by numerous students across campuses.

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