Jewish students at Brown launch sit-in to demand Israel divestment

A group of Jewish students at Brown University in Rhode Island have begun a sit-in, demanding Brown divest its endowment from companies with business interests in Israel. 

“As Jewish students, we’ve had enough of our university co-opting our identities to justify maintaining financial ties to an apartheid state and suppressing advocacy for Palestinian liberation,” said Ariela Rosenzweig, a member of BrownU Jews for Ceasefire Now. 

Middle East Eye previously reported that alumni from Ivy League universities have signed a letter in solidarity with current students taking part in pro-Palestine demonstrations amid complaints about a crackdown on their views. 

Students from several leading US universities told MEE that even the most benign efforts to call for a ceasefire, or lead a teach-in to shed light on Israel’s occupation, have been met with attempts to criminalise them, embarrass their families or destroy their career plans.