Universities Face Pressure Over Calls to Divest from Israel

Student protests and institutional responses ignite debate on ethical investments and antisemitism.

Several universities, including Brown and Northwestern, are considering divestment from companies linked to Israel.
Student activists cite human rights violations in Gaza, while critics argue divestment is antisemitic and impractical.
University leaders face backlash from donors and politicians, risking financial and reputational damage.
The debate echoes past divestment movements, such as those targeting South African apartheid and fossil fuels.
Institutional neutrality policies and state anti-BDS laws complicate the divestment decisions.