Dozens of graduates withdrew from a ceremony at Yale University on Monday, in protest against the Israeli aggression on Gaza and the financial relations between the university and arms manufacturing companies, as well as its handling of pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
The withdrawal began when Yale University President Peter Salovey began announcing the traditional presentation of candidates for degrees for each college in the presence of thousands of graduates who were wearing graduation caps and gowns.
At least 150 students who were sitting near the front of the stage stood up, turned their backs to it, and exited the concert through one of the gates.
Many protesters carried small signs bearing slogans such as “Books, not bombs” and “Do not invest in war.” Some of them wore red rubber gloves to symbolize bloodstained hands.
Other banners read: “Drop the charges” and “Protect freedom of expression,” in reference to 45 people arrested in a police crackdown last April targeting demonstrations in and around the New Haven campus in Connecticut.
The withdrawal sparked a storm of cheers of encouragement from other students inside the campus, but the protest was peaceful and did not stop the ceremony. He was also not mentioned from the stage.
Since last April, American universities have witnessed a student movement against American support for the Israeli war on Gaza.
The students demand that American universities stop cooperating with Israel, and Jewish students who reject the aggression against Gaza participate in the movement.
The pro-Palestine student movement has expanded to many Western universities, especially in Canada, France, Britain, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands.