Houthi Militia Reaches Out to Support U.S. Students Protesting for Palestine
The Houthi militia in Yemen, an Iran-backed terror group, has offered to provide education to students who have been suspended from U.S. universities for staging pro-Palestinian protests.
The Houthis stated that they are “serious about welcoming students that have been suspended from U.S. universities for supporting Palestinians” and that they are “fighting this battle with Palestine in every way we can.”
Sanaa University, which is run by the Houthis, issued a statement condemning the “suppression of freedom of expression” that students and academics at U.S. and European universities have faced, and offered an email address for any interested students.
These protests have spread beyond the U.S., with similar demonstrations occurring at universities in France and Australia, where students have demanded their schools divest from companies with ties to Israel.
The Houthi offer has sparked sarcasm among ordinary Yemenis on social media, with one user posting a photo of Westerners chewing the narcotic leaf Qat and describing them as “American students during their fifth year at Sanaa University.”
Q&A
Q: Why are the Houthis offering to educate suspended U.S. students?
A: The Houthis, an Iran-backed militant group in Yemen, have offered to provide education to U.S. university students who have been suspended for protesting in support of Palestinians. The Houthis have stated that they are “serious about welcoming” these suspended students and that they are “fighting this battle with Palestine in every way we can.” This appears to be an attempt by the Houthis to support the pro-Palestinian cause and undermine the crackdown on student activism by U.S. universities.
Q: What have U.S. universities done in response to pro-Palestinian protests on campus?
A: Several prominent U.S. universities, including Columbia, UCLA, Yale, and NYU, have become centers of resistance against Israel’s actions in Gaza. In recent weeks, students at these schools have set up tents and rallied to show support for Palestinians. However, many universities have responded by involving police to help quell the protests, drawing criticism from activists around the world.
Q: Have the pro-Palestinian protests spread beyond the U.S.?
A: Yes, the protests in support of Palestinians have spread to other countries as well. Similar demonstrations have occurred at universities in France and Australia, where students have demanded their schools divest from companies with ties to Israel. The wave of anti-Israel protests at campuses globally appears to have been inspired by the student occupations and activism taking place at U.S. universities.
Q: How have ordinary Yemenis reacted to the Houthis’ offer?
A: The Houthis’ offer to educate suspended U.S. students has sparked sarcasm and mockery among ordinary Yemenis on social media. One user posted a photo of Westerners chewing the narcotic leaf Qat, describing them as “American students during their fifth year at Sanaa University” – a jab at the perceived low quality of education under Houthi control in Yemen.
