USA: divided power values cement the future downfall

USA: divided power values cement the future downfall

On several University campuses like Yale, Harvard, Columbia, Los Angeles, etc. students protest against the ties of their Universities with Israel and voice their solidarity not with Hamas but with the Palestinian people. Jewish organizations strongly condemn their protests, The PM of Israel Netanjahu reminds them of the situation on campuses in the 1930s in Germany. US House Speaker Mike Johnson calls for the National Guard to end the peaceful sit-in protests. President Joe Biden is advised by his election campaign advisors not to visit the universities involved even being a Democrat. He is leaving the narrative in the hands of his political opponents. A value or age problem?

The ties with Israel are based for the Americans on the Holocaust and their interest in the Middle East. Jews in American politics play a vital role in the internal and external state of affairs. The scenes of police officers pushing students around or arresting them go viral around the world. The scenes cause similar actions in other countries and make students in more countries think about the state of affairs in the USA. The political rift and divide in American politics became evident. A moral powerhouse is on the brink of collapse.

The scenes broadcasted remind the world of similar scenes of the human rights movements of the 1960s. To fight the next generation of the USA elite with the police force is a troublesome move exposing the lack of understanding of how to deal with the most appropriate way to the benefit of the nation. Criticism of the wrong actions of the IDF and committed war crimes (killing of two Jewish hostages holding white flags dressed in only underpants or seven World Kitchen Aid workers, Orthodox IDF unit, etc.) are labeled as Antisemitism not as reporting facts.

University Presidents to fight students on campus with the help of police forces have lost the trust of the students to move forward. The rest of their studies will not bear positive results and potentially harm the reputation of the universities to make it less attractive to future students especially when prestigious universities are involved.

Six months ago western leaders proclaimed their unconditional support for Israel instead of a very carefully drafted balanced approach making them unfit to stand in as credible mediators in the war. The voices of these leaders have got cracks asking Israel to open borders, to keep restrained, and not undertake any military offense in Rafah, etc. Trapped in historic events and values these leaders find it increasingly difficult to address the issue and their citizens in the best possible manner.

As a lecturer myself, I know that sending out the National Guard, police forces, or words of aggression against students, the future national elite, will not solve the issue but rather cause more long-lasting problems with a shortcut answer. To talk even long-lasting talks often painful and draining once for possibly weeks to come are the best way forward. A respectful and open discussion will make any university be seen as a credible educational institution, a place where the free mind to learn, teach and research will bear valuable exceptional positive results.

Students of today are globally connected and share their values and experiences which will have an immense impact on their future lives as their national and international elite. The signal the USA sends out into the world is clear: we have lost direction and are ready for our downfall in due course. Money will not save us anymore.