Atmosphere of Fear and Tension Among Students Amidst Middle East Conflict at US University

Atmosphere of Fear at a US University

Hardly anyone wants to openly express their views on the Middle East conflict, but tensions are simmering at US universities. Jewish and Muslim students feel unsettled and threatened, and in the outrage, distinctions are not always made. Protest against Israel’s military action in the Gaza Strip at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore: Around 150 students have gathered, and some speakers, in light of the increasing number of Palestinian casualties, describe it as “genocide.” Another contentious term is repeatedly mentioned during the demonstration: “doxxing,” the targeted disclosure of personal information on the internet – in this case, of students who take a stance for or against Israel. Many feel pressured as a result.

A student, who prefers not to disclose his name, describes the mood after the demonstration: “The mood is extremely critical towards Israel at the moment. But I also want to say: It is not an anti-Semitic stance. It is a stance against a genocide committed by Israel.”

Most students do not want to speak on the microphone. Behind closed doors, there is talk of an “atmosphere of fear.” Fear of saying something wrong, fear – for both Jewish and Muslim students – for their own safety. “Yes, it is a topic that increasingly concerns many people,” says Ilil Benjamin, a sociology lecturer and herself Israeli.

She has just spoken with one of her Jewish students, who has been feeling increasingly insecure since the Hamas terrorist attacks on October 7, as the number of anti-Semitic incidents in the United States is rising – swastika graffiti, threats, physical assaults. That has not yet happened at the university in Baltimore, but everyone is closely following the news on this topic.

“Nuanced discussion is lacking”

German historian Victoria Harms also teaches at Johns Hopkins University. She sees parallels between the heated debate in the US and Germany: “How little nuanced the discussion often is, how quickly generalizations are made, how quickly statements are taken out of context. I believe this is happening in the US as well as in Germany.”

Harms finds this “incredibly problematic”: “Engaging in a – if at all possible – reasoned discourse is incredibly difficult right now.” She also points out that there are Jewish students who view the actions of the Israeli army very critically.

Students only express themselves anonymously

Not many are willing to openly express themselves in the university library cafeteria either. Those who do speak do so anonymously. “You don’t really talk about the issue,” says one of the voices. “Especially if you have friends on both sides. Also because the university administration has a problematic stance. They initially refused to speak with Palestinian or other Arab or Muslim organizations; only Jewish student associations were invited. It is a university culture that tends to cater only to the needs of Jewish students.”

Another allegation voiced by students is that the university benefits from funding from the arms industry. “There are research collaborations, investments from US defense companies here, and various joint projects with the Department of Defense.”

Criticism also from left-wing Democrats

The accusation that the US government unilaterally supports Israel is not only heard at universities but also from congress members belonging to the left-wing of President Joe Biden’s Democratic Party. This can become problematic for Biden: In the presidential election campaign, he not only needs support from the political center but also from his own party’s left wing. And he needs the votes of younger voters, including students at universities.

It is not yet a real anti-war movement in the US, but the longer the conflict in the Middle East lasts, the greater the potential involvement of the United States, the more heated the debate is likely to become – not only on the campus in Baltimore.