The United States has taken a firm stance against pro-Palestinian protests, labeling South Africa’s ambassador as “persona non grata” and cracking down on student activists. The actions come amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.
Washington declared Ebrahim Rasool, South Africa’s envoy to the US, persona non grata after President Donald Trump criticized Israel’s genocide case at the World Court. The move is seen as a response to Trump’s stance on Israel.
Meanwhile, Columbia University in New York has suspended or expelled multiple students protesting the Gaza ceasefire, leading to accusations of hypocrisy from Cuba’s foreign minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla. The university’s actions have sparked protests and marches by pro-Palestine students, who demand the release of Palestinian students and condemn the university’s decision to expel those supporting Palestine.
The US Justice Department has also launched an investigation into whether student protests at Columbia University violated federal terrorism laws. The department says it is examining if the protests met the criteria for terrorism.
In a separate development, Israeli forces have killed two Palestinian teenagers in the occupied West Bank and a young man in Gaza City after Israeli attacks on Gaza City. The Forum of Palestinian Journalists has reported 206 journalists killed since October 7, 2023, due to Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.
The US proposal for a “bridge” to extend the Gaza ceasefire has been met with skepticism by Hamas, which released Israeli-American soldier Idan Alexander from captivity as a positive gesture. However, this move does not signal that the group is open to renegotiating the ceasefire.
As tensions escalate, protests and rallies continue across the US, with hundreds of Jewish demonstrators demanding the release of a Palestinian student activist held in detention without charge. The actions reflect the growing global movement for Palestinian rights and liberation.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2025/3/14/live-israel-kills-2-in-gaza-un-decries-genocidal-attacks-on-healthcare