North Pima News

Ann Atkinson, the former Executive Director of the Lewis Center at Arizona State University (ASU), condemns the university, alleging that it fosters terrorism following a recent incident between supporters of Israel and Palestine. The claims come in light of a significant increase in tension on the campus related to Middle Eastern politics.

"SJP celebrates Hamas and terrorizes Jews on campus. Tonight, they hijacked an undergraduate student government session, where they were not on the agenda. Then when they didn’t get their way, they violently threw rocks at windows. ASU treats Dennis Prager and Charlie Kirk as if they are terrorists but when it comes to real terrorists and proponents of terrorism, ASU conveniently does nothing.", said Ann Atkinson.

Atkinson's allegations stem from recent alarming incidents reported from ASU. Earlier this week, an incident occurred at ASU involving rocks being thrown at windows during a student government meeting discussing the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) bill. The "Students for Justice in Palestine" group has repeatedly tried to pass the bill, which aims to have the University cease all support for Israel. The incident prompted an investigation by the Arizona State University Police Department, and similar recent events have led some Jewish students to choose remote learning due to concerns about their safety on campus, according to Fox News.

In addition to these disturbances at ASU itself, other events connected with this issue have also raised eyebrows in Arizona. Last month, Arizona lawmakers expressed disappointment in ASU after the ASU chapter of the National Students for Justice in Palestine (NSJP) organized rallies in support of Palestine and in favor of the Hamas attacks. One event took place at Tempe Beach Park while similar events took place on other college campuses, including Butler University, University of Louisville, University of Birmingham, the University of Virginia, and more, organized by their respective NSJP chapters according to Arizona Daily Independent.

Meanwhile, on the global front, the Israel-Hamas conflict continues to create ripple effects across continents. Hamas, an Islamist militant group and designated terrorist organization by several countries, initiated airstrikes on the Gaza Strip on October 7. Many airstrikes targeted various parts of Israel including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The resulting casualties have exceeded 10,000 since the Israel-Hamas conflict began. Among the victims were 31 American citizens with at least 13 still missing according to ABC.

The leadership at ASU is not staying silent about these disturbing developments happening under its purview. "Arizona State University Police Department is investigating last night’s disruption of a USG meeting on the Tempe campus," said ASU President Michael Crow according to a post on platform X. "Let it be clear that ASU will not tolerate acts of intimidation or violence. We are committed to inclusion and respect and providing a safe environment for civil dialogue and learning."

Opinions from outside academia also highlight concerns over these issues. "Heartbreaking," said Abe Hamadeh who is running to represent the 8th legislative district of Arizona according to the X platform. "Jews are under attack on their own campuses. How can we expect students to learn when they are in constant fear for their safety by RADICALS? ASU needs to aggressively go after the perpetrators and set an example. Hatred and antisemitism cannot be tolerated."