A planned anti-Israel encampment at the University of Washington was scrapped at the last minute because of a lack of diversity — following fierce backlash for not involving any Muslim, Palestinian or Arab students.
“After long discussions, we have had to make the hard decision to postpone our action for several days,” the school’s Progressive Student Union announced Thursday, the day its “UW Palestine Encampment” was supposed to take over a quad at 8 a.m.
“We want to make sure this encampment is a better reflection of the UW community, and having even greater unity with Muslim, Palestinian, and Arab students,” said the group.
“We want to make sure everyone’s voice is included.”
The group said it was influenced by protests “at Columbia, New York University, the University of Michigan, and beyond” that showed the “student movement in this country will not back down in its fight for Palestinian liberation.”
University administrators informed Jewish leaders that the school had no plans to stop the encampment unless “the event escalates and threatens life safety,” according to 770 KTTH.
However, the initial announcement of the encampment sparked anger at those not involved.
“Please listen to the Palestinian, Arab and Muslim students criticizing this event and cancel it,” one person commented to the initial post.
“Y’all have zero community support in this bc of your inability to center Palestinians and Arabs and this is so poorly planned,” someone else stated.
“Why was [StudentsUnited for Palestinian Equality and Return] not consulted?” another person asked.
“Why is there no Arab or Muslim leadership? This is the only page I have seen this posted, which leads me to believe that no other orgs endorse this action. This is dangerous and weird to be honest.”
Despite the embarrassing backlash, the Progressive Student Union promised to press ahead.
“Make no mistake, WE WILL HAVE A UW ENCAMPMENT!” the group wrote, teasing an update by late Friday.
Anti-Israel protests have ratcheted up on college campuses across the nation over the past week after students at Columbia University set up a tent city that’s engulfed the New York City school in division and controversy.
Demonstrations have been an ongoing presence across the Big Apple since Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza following Hamas’ deadly attack on Oct. 7.
Students at NYU also set up an encampment, which was torn down this week at the direction of school leaders.
University of Southern California students also attempted to set up an encampment Wednesday, which resulted in the arrest of 93 student protesters.
That same day, hundreds of local and state Texas police officers clashed with protesters at the University of Texas at Austin.
Officers made 34 arrests at the behest of the university and Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott, according to the state Department of Public Safety.
