This criticism comes amidst the UN's expressed concern over the treatment of pro-Palestinian protesters at American universities.
In a post on social media platform X, Fetterman juxtaposed the UN's silence on Hamas with a headline from Reuters. The headline quoted UN rights chief Volker Turk, who expressed his unease over the treatment of pro-Palestinian demonstrators at US universities.
May 02, 2024
Turk, who serves as the UN high commissioner for human rights, recently condemned the American police for their "disproportionate" response to anti-Israel protests on US college campuses. His statement came in the wake of escalating tensions at the University of California, Los Angeles, and Columbia University in New York City, where police were forced to intervene in violent clashes between opposition groups.
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Turk expressed his concern over the impact of law enforcement actions across various universities, stating, "Incitement to violence or hatred on grounds of identity or viewpoints – whether real or assumed – must be strongly repudiated." He emphasized the need for a case-by-case approach to violence, advocating for responses guided by human rights law that protect safe spaces for all.
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Despite his criticism of the US police response, Turk has not directly condemned Hamas for its actions. Following the October 7 attack, he condemned the hostage-taking and mass killings by Palestinian armed groups but stopped short of explicitly condemning Hamas. In February, he acknowledged that all parties in the Israel-Hamas conflict had committed clear violations of international human rights and humanitarian laws.
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Echoing Turk's sentiments, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the importance of freedom of expression and peaceful demonstration, while also condemning hate speech. He suggested that university authorities should manage these situations appropriately.
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Despite these statements, the UN has yet to adopt measures condemning Hamas for its October 7 attack on Israel. This inaction is often attributed to vetoes by Security Council members such as Russia. While Guterres has individually condemned the terrorist attacks against Israel, the UN as a body has not followed suit.
Meanwhile, American universities are taking stronger measures to control protests that have spread across campuses as the conflict in the Gaza Strip continues. Ivy League universities, particularly Columbia, have become significant flashpoints for protests, which have also emerged on campuses in California and Texas. The University of Texas, Austin, has suspended the Palestinian Solidarity Committee following the arrest of several students.
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At Columbia, administrators limited campus access and locked some buildings after protesters stormed Hamilton Hall and barricaded the doors. Protesters were seen smashing windows, unfurling a Palestinian flag, and chanting pro-Palestinian slogans. They demanded that the university divest from Israel and adopt a policy of transparency with its investments.
Despite the escalating tensions, university administrators have insisted that student safety remains their primary concern. They thanked the university community for their "patience, cooperation, and understanding."
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