Columbia University Protest Live Updates: At least 17 people arrested for trespassing at University of Texas at Dallas campus

05:43 (IST), May 2

Some Palestinians say protests on US campuses give them 'hope'

Thousands of miles from campus protests that have divided Americans, some displaced Palestinians are expressing solidarity with anti-war protesters and gratitude for their efforts.

Messages of support were written in some tents in the southern city of Rafah, where about a million displaced people have sought refuge from Israeli bombardment and ground fighting, according to Gaza health officials, which have killed more than 34,000 people.

“Thank you, American universities,” said a message captured on video by the Reuters news agency. “Thank you, students in solidarity with Gaza, your message has reached us,” read another nearby.

Tensions have been rising on campuses across the United States. On Tuesday evening, police in riot gear arrested dozens of people at New York's Columbia University and across the country there were clashes with pro-Palestinian protesters who had set up tent camps and seized academic buildings at other institutions. Protesters have called on universities to divest from companies with ties to Israel, and some have vowed not to back down. (NYT)