Israel-Gaza conflict: Houthis offer education to US students suspended over pro-Palestine protests

University campuses across the US have witnessed tense scenes as students protest in support of Palestinians face tough action from the college administrations and police. As students taking part in demonstrations face sanctions by universities, Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis have presented an educational opportunity to them.

The move by the militant group comes amidst a backdrop of heightened tensions surrounding the Gaza conflict, now in its seventh month, with demonstrators across American campuses expressing solidarity with Palestinians. The Houthis, known for their disruption of global shipping routes in support of Gaza, have opened their doors to students facing disciplinary action by universities in the US.

“We are serious about welcoming students that have been suspended from US universities for supporting Palestinians,” an official at Sanaa University, which is run by the Houthis, told news agency Reuters.

“We are fighting this battle with Palestine in every way we can,” the official added.

The university also praised the ‘humanitarian’ stance of American students and offered them the opportunity to continue their education in Yemen.

Furthermore, the university’s board condemned the suppression of freedom of expression faced by academics and students in the US and Europe, inviting affected students to reach out via an provided email address.

“The board of the university condemns what academics and students of US and European universities are being subjected to, suppression of freedom of expression,” the board of the university said in a statement.

This move by the Houthis coincides with their recent designation as a terrorist group by the US and Britain, in view of their disruptive activities in the Red Sea region ever since the Israel-Gaza conflict began.

However, the offer from the Houthis has sparked mixed reactions, with many Yemenis taking to social media to express their scepticism. One user shared a photo depicting Westerners chewing Qat, a popular Yemeni narcotic, suggesting it as a portrayal of American students in their fifth year at Sanaa University.

More than 2,000 people, including students, were arrested during pro-Palestinian protests across dozens of US college campuses in recent weeks.

At the University of California, Los Angeles, over 200 students faced arrest as authorities dismantled a fortified encampment, while Dartmouth College in New Hampshire saw the arrest of over 90 students in a similar crackdown.

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