At the University of California, the police forcibly remove the barricades erected by the opponents of Israel / Article

This is not the only place where there have been protests recently. It is known that on Wednesday in New York, the police have detained at least 300 protesters at two different universities. At Dartmouth College in the state of New Hampshire, 90 protesters were detained on Wednesday evening, while at least 34 people were detained at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.

The police are targeting the participants of the illegal protests

The goal of the protesting students is to force universities to end all cooperation and financial support with Israel or with companies that support this country.

Law enforcement previously warned protesters to vacate the grounds of the University of California, Los Angeles, or face arrest. The University Police Service has warned that this is an illegal protest.

The police started the operation on the territory of the university around 1 pm Latvian time. According to US media reports, several police agencies may be involved. The protesters shouted slogans in the direction of the security guards, both in support of the Palestinians, calling on the policemen to leave the territory of the university, and emphasizing the fact that this is a peaceful protest.

Protesters try to protect themselves with metal fences and large wooden pallets, as well as with open umbrellas. Many have helmets on their heads and some also gas masks.

With the arrival of the police, explosions have been heard in the area. As one of the eyewitnesses tells the BBC, they are deliberately provoked by law enforcement officers to disorient the protesters.

Pepper spray and rubber bullets are used against the protesters

The correspondent of “Sky News”, who is on the territory of the university, reports that the protesters have sprayed pepper spray in the direction of the law enforcement officers to prevent them from moving further.

Some protesters claim that security guards are using rubber bullets, but the police have not yet confirmed this. It is true that CNN and Fox News film crews have filmed them being used.

The policemen have already started to clear the area of ​​the tents that were placed during the past days.

“These students are very brave. Especially after what happened yesterday. They are not easily pushed down. They are people who really believe very strongly in their beliefs. I think some are willing to be arrested because… you know, that it’s part of their belief system that it’s so important to risk being suspended from college,” Dolores Quintana, editor of the local Santa Monica Mirror, told Sky News.

“What I’ve heard from some of the organizers is a call for protesters to move like water. It’s a quote from martial arts master Bruce Lee.” Namely, to avoid the enemy, you have to move in such a way as not to get hurt.

Israel is concerned about the rise of anti-Semitism

The US media also reports on the detainees, some with their hands tied. CNN reports about dozens of detainees. University student newspaper “The Daily Bruin” informs that one professor is among those detained.

The Los Angeles Police Department has not yet commented on the operation. Meanwhile, the University of California, Los Angeles has announced that all classes will be held remotely by the end of the week. Violent clashes between pro-Palestinian protesters and their opponents took place at the university on Wednesday morning.

Israeli President Yitzchak Herzog, meanwhile, has expressed concern about the rise of anti-Semitism in the United States and other parts of the world in an address to Jewish communities around the world.

“We see prominent academic institutions, halls of history, culture and education saturated with hatred and anti-Semitism, fueled by vanity and ignorance, and driven by moral deficiency and misinformation,” concludes Herzog.