Staff Reports
A few weeks ago, Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) spoke out against the idea that the ongoing campus protests in the US are affecting President Joe Biden's choices about the war in Gaza. Smith said the idea was "ridiculous" and said the President's decision was mostly based on the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the fact that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu doesn't have a plan for the future of the region.
Also, Smith disagreed with the claim that Biden doesn't back Israel by saying that the US has been sending weapons to the country since the conflict began. It was brought up by him that Biden recently said that the war in Gaza could end if Hamas freed its prisoners.
Smith was worried about Netanyahu's leadership and said that he was condemning Israel to a future of "endless war, conflict, and no peace." Smith did say, though, that he doesn't agree with some Democratic lawmakers who want to remove Netanyahu from power. He thinks that the Israeli people should make that choice.
Since there were still protests on college campuses in support of Palestine, the Study Abroad Act was proposed by House Republicans led by Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN). The suggested law would send anti-Israel protesters and others to Gaza or take away their visas if they are found guilty of a crime on a college campus. The bill goes after people who have been arrested for fighting or illegally protesting on college campuses, as well as people who have set up, joined, or promoted camps since October 7th. People have different ideas about how to handle college protests and the real problems that cause the Israel-Palestine conflict because of the bill
