Restrictions on chalking implemented to ‘beautify’ campus, UMD says

by Joel Lev-Tov University of Maryland President Darryll Pines announced a new policy for chalking on Nov. 27. Overnight, students at the University of Maryland were prohibited from chalking in all but two places on campus: In front of the Adele H. Stamp Student Union and at Hornbake Plaza. Why?  “The president is really clear that he doesn’t want a campus that looks like it’s … Continue reading Restrictions on chalking implemented to ‘beautify’ campus, UMD says

Israeli journalist says Trump’s foreign policy changed Middle East for the better at talk

by Franklin Zessis “Things could’ve been much, much worse” without former President Donald Trump’s Abraham Accords, which several Arab countries normalize relations with Israel, Israeli journalist Barak Ravid said at a talk at the University of Maryland on Tuesday evening.  “Without the Abraham Accords, we wouldn’t be having this conversation,” he said. Ravid — a CNN political and foreign policy analyst and Axios reporter — … Continue reading Israeli journalist says Trump’s foreign policy changed Middle East for the better at talk

Empty chairs on McKeldin honor Israeli hostages

by Daryl Perry Over 200 chairs. Over 200 hostages.  Each chair on the University of Maryland’s McKeldin Mall on Nov. 9 represented one person Hamas holds hostage in the Gaza Strip. Dina Bash, a senior psychology major, said she hoped that the event would remind people of world events, “even though it’s half way around the world.” “The war is still happening,” she said. “[240] … Continue reading Empty chairs on McKeldin honor Israeli hostages

FACT CHECK: Were antisemitic slogans shouted at a UMD pro-Palestine event?

by Joel Lev-Tov CLAIM: Protesters at a pro-Palestine protest on Nov. 9 shouted antisemitic slogans and chalked messages calling for a second Holocaust. SBS ASSESSMENT: Partially true. Two eyewitnesses confirmed that students shouted slogans calling for revolution and event organizers confirmed that someone chalked a message reading “Holocaust 2.0,” but emphasized that the author meant to compare the war in the Gaza Strip with the … Continue reading FACT CHECK: Were antisemitic slogans shouted at a UMD pro-Palestine event?

Students demand cease-fire in Gaza at rally on Reichskristallnacht anniversary

by Sanya Wason “Free, Free Palestine!”  The chant echoed across Hornbake Plaza at the University of Maryland on Thursday as students supporting Palestine joined a walkout to demand a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip as the conflict entered its 33rd day. Israel launched the deadly counteroffensive in response to an Oct. 7 Hamas attack that killed more than 1,300 Israeli civilians. Israel’s counteroffensive includes bombing … Continue reading Students demand cease-fire in Gaza at rally on Reichskristallnacht anniversary

Students gather at a vigil urging to end the occupation in Palestine

By Divya Vakkalanka Correction: a previous version of this story misspelled Ronald Zeigler’s last name and included the incorrect date for the vigil. This piece has been updated. Hundreds of students attended Students for Justice in Palestine’s teach-in and vigil Thursday, Oct. 12 on McKeldin Mall, mourning the loss of Palestinian lives due to the ongoing war in Gaza.  University of Maryland’s Students for Justice … Continue reading Students gather at a vigil urging to end the occupation in Palestine

Israel Fest and counter-protest draws few

by Joel Lev-Tov 550 feet separated students celebrating Israel and students protesting for Palestine. The emotional gulf between the two was even bigger.  “They’re continuing to advocate for the colonization of my people,” said Ahlam, a member of Students for Justice in Palestine who declined to give her last name. “They’re fully entitled to a homeland. They’re just not entitled to a homeland built on … Continue reading Israel Fest and counter-protest draws few

BDS bill rejected after lengthy debate

By Vanessa Reis  On Wednesday, April 25, the Student Government Association (SGA) shot down a proposed bill which, if passed, would have resulted in the university no longer investing in a list of companies that have been accused of contributing to human rights violations against Palestinians. After five hours of debate, the bill was rejected in a 25-9 vote. More than 100 students took the … Continue reading BDS bill rejected after lengthy debate

BDS bill dies in committee after nearly 3 hours of student debate

By Angela Roberts After three hours of deliberation, over 1,000 students and faculty members watched as the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement (BDS) bill failed in committee at the Student Government Association meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 16. The bill, sponsored by freshman representative Tobi Olagunju and neighboring representative Ashli Taylor, called for UMD to divest from companies with connections to Israel. Because the bill had … Continue reading BDS bill dies in committee after nearly 3 hours of student debate