Brown University has agreed to consider divesting from Israel after radical anti-Israel demonstrators threatened to dismantle their encampment on campus. This decision, reported by the Jerusalem Post, marks the first time a university has entertained the idea of divestment from Israel.
The activists, who were previously arrested for occupying an administration building, gained attention in April when they took over a section of campus known as the Main Green. Local Jewish leaders and clergy raised concerns about the antisemitic chants used by the activists, calling for the elimination of Israel.
Rather than enforcing university policies, Brown chose to negotiate with the activists and agreed to a proposal that will see the university’s highest governing body, the Corporation, vote on divestment from companies linked to Israel in October. The activists agreed to clear the encampment and refrain from unauthorized protests until the end of May.
While campus rabbis expressed relief over the dismantling of the encampment, other Jewish groups criticized Brown for validating a movement they believe to be antisemitic. Rabbi Ron Fish of the Anti-Defamation League’s New England chapter accused Brown of enabling antisemitism and warned that the deal could fuel more radical protests and harassment of Jews.
The outcome of this situation has left some feeling disheartened, with Rabbi Fish describing it as a “sad chapter and a dark day for Brown University.”
