Palestinians in Gaza have shown their appreciation for student protesters in the United States through various signs, acknowledging their support against Israel’s military actions in Gaza. The displays have surfaced notably in areas like Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, aligning with a larger trend of student-led protests across US universities.

The student protests commenced on April 17 at Columbia University in New York, quickly spreading to other institutions. These movements generally demand that universities cut financial ties with Israeli businesses and divest from Israeli investments. Despite peaceful resolutions at some universities, such as the University of Minnesota, where administrators agreed to discuss protesters’ demands, other universities have seen significant confrontation leading to arrests. For instance, over 100 protesters were apprehended at Columbia University.

Notably, Rutgers University in New Jersey and the University of Minnesota achieved agreements with protesting students, leading to the peaceful disbandment of encampments. Rutgers agreed to most of the student demands, although some remain unresolved, such as complete disinvestment from Israeli corporations and cuts with Tel Aviv University. At both universities, successful negotiations have highlighted the efficacy of dialogue in resolving such conflicts, contrasting with the more confrontational approaches at other institutions.

The signs in Gaza depicting messages of thanks stand as a visual representation of the international impact and interconnectedness of the student protests, emphasizing solidarity across geographic and political divides.