Georgetown Plans Vote on Israeli Divestment Referendum Amid Campus Tensions

Georgetown University is facing heightened tensions over Israel and Palestine, with a student-led referendum set to vote on whether the school should boycott Israeli businesses and academic institutions, reflecting campus divisions and accusations of anti-Semitism. The referendum, sponsored by students in the School of Foreign Service, calls for divestment from companies linked to the Israeli military and has sparked debate over free speech and the characterization of Israel's actions in Gaza. Recently, Georgetown police forcibly removed anti-Israel protesters from a campus building after they disrupted university business, highlighting ongoing activism and administrative responses. These incidents at Georgetown are part of a wider national trend, as universities across the U.S. experience protests, administrative crackdowns, and debates about academic freedom, anti-Semitism, and Islamophobia related to the Israel-Palestine conflict. Student groups on both sides continue to organize demonstrations, with pro-Palestinian activists citing repression and a need for safety plans amid rising tensions and federal scrutiny. University officials maintain they condemn all forms of hatred and reiterate commitments to campus safety and free expression.