Israel Protests Reach Antarctica

As pro-Palestinian protests continue across numerous college campuses in the U.S. photos posted on social media appear to show the demonstrations reaching Antarctica.

On X, formerly Twitter, user @saaaauuull shared a thread discussing how anti-Israel protests have reached dozens of different U.S. states and continents around the world. "Student Gaza solidarity protests/encampments appear to have reached ALL continents but Antarctica," the post said.

However, in the thread, X user Shane Loeffler responded by saying, "Antarctica is showing up too," sharing a photo of pro-Palestinian protesters in the continent.

In the photo, several people can be seen located at the McMurdo Station research center on the southern tip of Ross Island. One person is seen holding a Palestinian flag, and others are seen holding signs saying, "fund science not genocide," "Ceasefire," and "Antarctic workers for Gaza."

The photo was reposted by several other social-media accounts this week, and Loeffler told Newsweek of the original post including the photo on Instagram with a caption that read, "Antarctic workers for the people of Gaza."

"We live in a world that consistently values capital over human life. We are indoctrinated into a world of fear, it takes a brave heart and critical mind to speak up for justice. I commend all of the workers of McMurdo who risk the privilege of their roles to demonstrate solidarity," the caption of the post, from the wet.mudd Instagram account, said.

In a statement to Newsweek, a spokesperson for the U.S. National Science Foundation, which operates the McMurdo Station, said, "The views expressed in the posting only reflect the views of those individuals involved, and not necessarily the views of the NSF or the United States."

Over the past few weeks, pro-Palestinian protesters have taken place at several different college campuses across the U.S. At Columbia University, students have set up a "Gaza Solidarity Encampment" calling on the school to divest from Israel amid their ongoing war in Gaza.

Tensions across college campuses have remained high since October 7, 2023, when the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel that left 1,200 people dead and saw over 200 more taken hostage. More than 34,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza since the war began, The Associated Press reported, citing local health officials.

Similar protests have broken out at other colleges such as Yale University, Northwestern University, Princeton University, George Washington University and the University of California, Los Angeles.

Newsweek also previously published a list showing where pro-Israel counterprotests have broken out at college campuses.

Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu published a video on X criticizing the ongoing protests in the U.S. "Antisemitism on campuses in the United States is reminiscent of what happened in German universities in the 1930s," he wrote in the post. "The world cannot stand idly by."

While speaking to reporters last week, U.S. President Joe Biden said, "I condemn the antisemitic protests… That's why I've set up a program to deal with that. I also condemn those who don't understand what's going on with the Palestinians."

Additionally, White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates told reporters last week that the Biden administration was "of course, aware of the protests." He said that "we know that this is a painful moment for many communities. We respect that, and we support every American's right to peacefully protest; that's something that we have been consistent about."