Student protests over the war in Gaza have posed a significant challenge for President Joe Biden. 

These protests, seen at Columbia University in New York and other campuses, have attracted global attention and reignited questions about Biden's support among young voters and his handling of the Middle East conflict.

Challenges for Biden

The demonstrations have emerged as Biden navigates negotiations for a cease-fire and the release of hostages held by Hamas, while also urging Israel to minimize civilian casualties.

With over 34,000 Palestinians reported dead, Biden faces pressure to address the escalating situation while maintaining U.S. support for Israel.

Escalating Tensions

The protests have raised concerns about potential disruptions and violence, reminiscent of past unrest during Vietnam War protests. 

Biden's aides have worked to minimize disruptions, holding smaller campaign events and tightly controlling access to avoid confrontations with antiwar protesters.

Frustrations at Columbia University

At Columbia, over 100 pro-Palestinian demonstrators were arrested, with similar incidents occurring at other campuses. 

The protesters demand that their universities denounce Israel's actions in Gaza and divest from companies doing business with Israel. Reports of antisemitic chants and messages have raised alarms, with some Jewish students feeling unsafe on campus.

The Director of the Holocaust, Genocide, and Interfaith Education Center at Manhattan College Mehnaz Afridi believes that its important to maintain dialogue and peace on college campuses.

She told ABC Live that “Campus is about freedom of speech, but it's not about freedom of hate.”

“I'm a Muslim woman that works very hard and seriously on antisemitism. I think antisemitism has been a problem for centuries. 

And right around the corner is Islamophobia. I think that the leadership on these campuses should be there talking to these students, talking to, you know, ceasefire students and also students who are standing with Israel and trying to figure out how can we have dialogue.”

Yale University 

In a shocking incident at Yale University, Sahar Tartak, a Jewish student journalist, became the target of violence while covering an anti-Israel protest. 

During the demonstration, she suffered a distressing assault when someone wielding a Palestinian flag stabbed her in the eye.

The assailants also subjected her to intimidation tactics, adding to the gravity of the situation. Despite immediately seeking help from campus police, Tartak was dismayed to learn that they were unable to intervene effectively. 

Sharing her ordeal in an interview with FOX TV, Sahar provided a firsthand account of the terrifying experience.

“I think it was 500 um when i came on saturday night. And as soon as i was identified with my friend who wears a black hat as visibly Orthodox Jewish students, I was immediately blockaded by protest organizers.

And everywhere I walked, there was a line of protest organizers standing in front of me, linking arms, so that I could not walk forward. And the rest of the students at the rally noticed this, the other 500 students at this violent rally.

And they saw me, and so they began to taunt me as well, because they recognized that I was something that they view as an enemy.

And finally, the taunting continued and escalated. And I was just there to record them. And the taunting escalated until somebody waved a Palestinian flag in my face and then jabbed me in my left eye.”

Biden's Response and Political Fallout

Biden has condemned the antisemitic protests while also acknowledging the plight of Palestinians.

However, his silence on the broader issue has drawn criticism, including from former President Donald Trump, who blamed Biden for the unrest.

Political Ramifications for Biden and Harris 

The political implications of these protests remain uncertain. While some argue that they could influence Biden's reelection prospects, others believe they may not significantly impact broader public opinion. 

As tensions persist on college campuses, the broader implications for Biden's presidency and reelection bid remain to be seen.

Critics argue that the media's portrayal of protests on college campuses as simply the latest "protests over the Israel-Hamas war" fails to capture the true essence of these demonstrations. 

What these students are actually demanding is explicit: they are calling for their universities to divest from Israel.

The silence from President Biden on these protests could potentially be attributed to the longstanding alliance between the United States and Israel, often framed as serving America's vested interests in the region.