[UNITED STATES] The U.S. government announced on Tuesday that it would review a situation at the University of Washington, where pro-Palestinian demonstrators occupied a campus building to demand that the university sever its ties with Boeing due to the company's contracts with the Israeli military.
This protest is part of a broader wave of campus demonstrations nationwide that have gained momentum since Israel launched its military offensive in Gaza last year. At numerous universities across the country, students and activists have called for divestment from companies with connections to Israel, mirroring similar movements seen during past conflicts in the region. However, the protest at the University of Washington stands out as one of the first instances in which a specific corporation, Boeing, has been singled out over its defense contracts.
The Trump administration quickly condemned the incident, describing it as antisemitic activity. While the administration praised both the university and law enforcement for their responses, it also urged the institution to take further enforcement actions and reconsider its policies.
Boeing, a major defense contractor, has long faced criticism from activists for its role in supplying weapons to Israel, including precision-guided munitions. The company defends its contracts as lawful and in alignment with U.S. foreign policy. The $10 million Boeing donated to the University of Washington in 2022 to fund an engineering building has now become a key point of contention for protesters, who argue that universities should not accept donations from weapons manufacturers.
The university reported on Tuesday that 30 protesters who had occupied the building late Monday were arrested, and that charges of trespassing, property damage, and disorderly conduct would be referred to prosecutors.
Legal experts note that while trespassing charges are often associated with such protests, the inclusion of property damage allegations could result in more severe legal consequences. Some advocacy groups have pledged to provide legal support for the arrested students, framing the charges as an overreach aimed at deterring future protests.
The Education Department, along with the Health Department and the General Services Administration, issued a statement calling for a review in response to the antisemitic harassment and violence that reportedly occurred at the University of Washington’s Seattle campus on May 5. The university had no immediate response to the Trump administration’s statement issued late Tuesday.
The protest group, identified as Super UW, confirmed that police had removed the students from the building and that 30 individuals had been taken into custody, with some later released.
The group has vowed to continue its campaign, pointing to similar protests at other universities that have resulted in negotiations over divestment. However, university administrators have so far resisted these demands, stressing the importance of academic partnerships with industry leaders, including Boeing.
The Trump administration has threatened universities with cuts to federal funding in response to pro-Palestinian protests against Israel’s military actions in Gaza following the Hamas attack in Israel in October 2023.
The administration has also attempted to deport some protesters, sparking concerns from rights advocates over free speech and academic freedom. Trump has characterized the protests as antisemitic and sympathetic to Hamas.
Protesters, including some Jewish groups, argue that the government is unfairly equating their criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza with antisemitism, and their advocacy for Palestinian rights with support for extremism.
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