University of Nebraska Students Rally for Ceasefire in Gaza

Palestinian flags flew in Nebraska on a rainy Wednesday afternoon, as the national wave of anti-war protests on university campuses washes into the heartland and banks on the city campus of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

“Huskers disclose! Huskers divest!” was chanted over loud speakers and echoed by 100+ protestors, gathered peacefully, holding signs, and wearing keffiyeh scarves in solidarity with the Palestinian people, as the deadly conflict between Israeli military personnel and Palestinian territories rages on for it’s seventh month since the contemporary situation began on October 7, 2023.

Lincoln for Palestine, one group involved in organizing the demonstration, released the following list of demands from UNL on Monday:

1. End the UNL study abroad trip to Israel
2. Disclose all investments that fund Israel, the Israeli war effort in Gaza, and the Israeli occupation of territories and settlements in the West Bank.
3. Divest from all investments that fund Israel
4. Stop receiving all grants and any monies from Israel

Students of UNL have become the latest to engage in similar demonstrations recently seen on the campuses of Columbia University, New York University, Washington University in St. Louis, and dozens more. As of April 30, over 1,500 protesters have been arrested on more than 25 U.S. campuses.

KLIN News was entwined in the crowd, as protestors took shelter from light rain under the Union building canopy. Demonstrators declared the protest space on Memorial Plaza — UNL’s designated public forum “free speech” zone — as the “Liberated Zone for Palestine,” which was the venue for scheduled educational lessons, protests, and public prayers throughout the day.

Officers with the UNL Police Department peppered the demonstration area. One attendee tells KLIN News, a small group of counter-protestors, one draped in a Israeli flag, interrupted chants for Palestinian freedom by interjecting “Save Israel from Genocide!”

According the witness, UNLPD spoke with the group which then left the plaza without incident.

“We’re out here to raise awareness about what is happening in Gaza, that is at the forefront,” said Karima, an organizing volunteer with Nebraskans for Peace – Palestinian Rights Taskforce, who sat down to speak with KLIN. “About 14,000 children have been murdered in under six months. This is a rate of child killings that hasn’t been seen in modern history, and many are on the brink of starvation because the Israeli military will not allow food aid into the Gaza Strip.”

Responding to protestor demands to disclose and divest from the State of Israel, a University spokesperson said that NU endowment holdings are public, and they “exists to support all students and the broad mission of the university. It is not an advocacy tool.”

According to the Jewish Virtual Library, Nebraska exports to Israel toped $53 million in 2022, and totaled over $657 million since 1996. The University of Nebraska has received has recieved over $1.3 million in BARD and BSF grants for scientific innovations  and agricultural benefits.

“I find that to be a very disturbing response,” reacted Karima. “If the endowment is invested in Israel or in weapons manufacturers that are complicit in the killings of Palestinian kids: How are Muslim, Arab and Palestinian students on campus supposed to feel okay with that?” A university does have the obligation to promote the interests of the students… and students across the country, not just here at UNL, are calling for justice for Palestinians.”

Beyond the university, protestors also criticized Nebraska’s congressional delegation for their general support of Israel throughout the conflict. Senator Pete Ricketts was singled out for “being the bridge” between Lincoln’s General Dynamics location and Israel for weapons supply.

Consul General of Israel to the Midwest Yinam Cohen visited the Lincoln facility with Senator Ricketts just weeks ago, in mid-April.

“Last night’s monumental interception of the Iranian missiles showcased the vital role of the Arrow system and the U.S.-Israel partnership in maintaining regional stability. I’m so proud of the significant role Nebraska and the Midwest play in the U.S.-Israel strategic alliance!” Cohen said of the visit on social media,

Karima said the General Dynamics – Lincoln involvement was “horrific.”

A focal message of the demonstration was to apply pressure to elected leaders to support an immediate permanent ceasefire in Gaza and end all military spending/aid. Small pamphlets containing contact information for Senators Ricketts and Deb Fischer, as well as Congressmen Mike Flood, Don Bacon, and Adrian Smith were distributed to attendees.

Republican officials were not singled out. Karima voiced frustrations with local Democrat officials.

“Tony Vargas (Omaha lawmaker and Congressional Candidate) has remained completely silent on Palestine. How is he supposed to represent Nebraska Democrats? Nationwide, 80% of Democrats are in support of a ceasefire. Why hasn’t he come out to support one?”

Karima did praise State Senators Megan Hunt and Terrell McKinney, both of Omaha, for occasionally speaking out on Palestine.

While national campus protests have produced chaos, mass tent camps, and large police presences — the protestors of Nebraska opted for a more pensive demonstration. Between the sometimes melodic chants, many stayed seated and quietly visited with each other, propping their slogan-touting signs by their feet and letting down masks that previously concealed their identity. Lectures and history lessons attracted clusters of ground sitting listeners.

UNL Chancellor Rodney Bennett said in a statement Wednesday morning, “As chancellor, I take very seriously both our institutional commitment to protect and promote free expression, and our obligation to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of our campus community. Finding the right balance between the two requires me and other campus leaders to make hard decisions about how best to ensure continuity of university operations and guard against intimidation, harassment, or discriminatory conduct while not stifling the free expression of ideas and opinions.”

“Nationwide, we’re seeing some really amazing reactions from young people who are sick of the war in Gaza and wanted to call for an end to the complicity of their universities in that war,” said Karima. “The response from their administrations has been shameful, quite frankly. So I’m very grateful that UNL has responded in a way that is respectful of the freedom of speech that we wanted to display.”

Lastly, KLIN asked for Karima’s reaction to news Wednesday morning that the White House was considering allowing some Palestinians from Gaza to immigrate to the United States as refugees.

“The White House cannot just give refugee status to folks in Gaza while simultaneously funding and politically supporting the genocide of the people,” Karima responded. “Their priority should be stopping the killing and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians because they want to remain in their homes. They don’t want to be forced to flee. So giving refugee status is not anything to applaud, really.”

Numerous Palestinian flags are raised near UNL’s Broyhill Fountain. (Chase Porter, KLIN News.)