Christian students in the US are responding in diverse ways to the ongoing campus protests about Gaza and Israel.
Peter Dray, Director of Creative Evangelism at UCCF in the UK, said a friend in the States told him: ‘Some are joining in. The protests resonate with their Scripture-informed identification with their Palestinian Christian brothers and sisters, as well as their humanitarian concerns for the massive loss of life among civilians.’
But he added: ‘Others reject the protests, often informed by American evangelicalism’s strong support of Israel.’
Dray stated: ‘There is no doubt the protest movement has attracted antisemitic elements – both in the US and in the UK. But whether this is more broadly representative of the views of the protestors is less clear. My friend also said: “While there may be antisemitic elements among some of the protestors, particularly among those who are trying to co-opt the protests, my sense is that among the core protest group, they are driven primarily by humanitarian concern for Palestinian civilians.” There is some common ground with the UK student response.’
Students in the UK have set up similar protest encampments, but – so far – without the violence. Camps have already been established at Manchester; Goldsmiths and University College, London; Newcastle and Leeds. The government has become so concerned about the possible spread of such protests that Rishi Sunak summoned several vice chancellors to 10 Downing Street, warning against their institutions ‘propagating outright harassment and antisemitic abuse’. Edward Isaacs, president of the Union of Jewish Students, said the protests were creating a ‘hostile and toxic atmosphere for Jewish students’.
