NEW HAVEN, United States: Scores of graduating students on Monday staged a walkout from prestigious Yale University, protesting the Israeli war in Gaza.
They also protested against Yale’s financial ties to weapons makers and its handling of pro-Palestinian demonstrations on the Ivy League campus.
The walkout started as Yale President Peter Salovey announced the college-by-college presentation of candidates for degrees at Yale’s Old Campus.
At least 150 students sat near the front of the audience, turned their backs to the stage, and walked out of the ceremony through Phelps Gate.
Many of the protesters were carrying small banners with slogans such as “Books not bombs” and “Divest from war.” Some also wore red gloves symbolizing bloodied hands.
The walkout drew cheers from fellow students in the crowd, but the protest was overall peaceful, without disruption.
Yale is one of dozens of US campuses facing protests over the increasing Palestinian humanitarian crisis stemming from Israel’s war in the Gaza Strip.
Earlier the University of Southern California canceled its graduation ceremony, and dozens of students walked out of Duke University’s commencement last week to protest its guest speaker, comedian Jerry Seinfeld, who has supported Israel’s war on Gaza.
READ ALSO: Saudi Foreign Minister Calls Acting Iranian Foreign Minister
Much of the student protest has been against financial ties with Israel and US military programs supporting the Jewish state. Many schools have called in police to disperse the demonstrations.
US President Joe Biden has acknowledged the voices of Gaza war protesters during his speech at Morehouse College.
Since October 7 last year, Israel has launched a relentless bombardment campaign in Gaza that has killed at least 35,562 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the territory’s health ministry.
