• Activists and students take part in an encampment protest at George Washington University, in Washington. AFP
    Activists and students take part in an encampment protest at George Washington University, in Washington. AFP
  • Students and faculty of Drexel University and University of Pennsylvania erect an encapment to protest against the war in Gaza, at the University of Pennsylvania campus, in Philadelphia. AFP
    Students and faculty of Drexel University and University of Pennsylvania erect an encapment to protest against the war in Gaza, at the University of Pennsylvania campus, in Philadelphia. AFP
  • Columbia University students continue their demonstration on campus afterlast week's arrest of more than 100 protesters, in New York City. Getty Images
    Columbia University students continue their demonstration on campus afterlast week's arrest of more than 100 protesters, in New York City. Getty Images
  • Police watch as students and faculty show support at a Protect Palestine Rally at the University of Texas, in Austin. EPA
    Police watch as students and faculty show support at a Protect Palestine Rally at the University of Texas, in Austin. EPA
  • A student is arrested during a pro-Palestine demonstration at the University of Texas at Austin. Getty Images
    A student is arrested during a pro-Palestine demonstration at the University of Texas at Austin. Getty Images
  • Students rally at the University of Texas at Austin, where police arrested scores of protesters. Getty images
    Students rally at the University of Texas at Austin, where police arrested scores of protesters. Getty images
  • Mounted police confront students protesting against the war in Gaza, at the University of Texas at Austin. Getty Images
    Mounted police confront students protesting against the war in Gaza, at the University of Texas at Austin. Getty Images
  • Pro-Palestine demonstrators argue with University of Southern California officials, who attempted to take down an encampment set up in support of Gaza, at the institution in Los Angeles. Getty images
    Pro-Palestine demonstrators argue with University of Southern California officials, who attempted to take down an encampment set up in support of Gaza, at the institution in Los Angeles. Getty images
  • University of Southern California police officers detain a pro-Palestine demonstrator. Getty Images
    University of Southern California police officers detain a pro-Palestine demonstrator. Getty Images
  • University of Southern California officers dismantle protesters' tents. EPA
    University of Southern California officers dismantle protesters' tents. EPA
  • Police stand guard at an entrance to Columbia University, in New York City, where students continue to protest in support of Palestinians, amid the war in Gaza. Reuters
    Police stand guard at an entrance to Columbia University, in New York City, where students continue to protest in support of Palestinians, amid the war in Gaza. Reuters
  • Najla Said, daughter of Palestinian-American academic and literary critic Edward Said, and Motaz Azaiza, a Palestinian photojournalist from Gaza, join the Gaza solidarity encampment at Columbia University. Photo: Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine
    Najla Said, daughter of Palestinian-American academic and literary critic Edward Said, and Motaz Azaiza, a Palestinian photojournalist from Gaza, join the Gaza solidarity encampment at Columbia University. Photo: Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine
  • As the campus protests continue, Columbia has moved its classes online. AFP
    As the campus protests continue, Columbia has moved its classes online. AFP
  • Workers erect a wooden barrier at New York University Stern School of Business after an encampment set up by students was cleared out on Monday night. Getty Images
    Workers erect a wooden barrier at New York University Stern School of Business after an encampment set up by students was cleared out on Monday night. Getty Images
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology student Isa Liggans, front left, takes part in Muslim prayer with others, at an encampment of tents at the college, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. AP
    Massachusetts Institute of Technology student Isa Liggans, front left, takes part in Muslim prayer with others, at an encampment of tents at the college, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. AP
  • Police officers disperse pro-Palestinian students and protesters who set up an encampment on the campus of New York University. AFP
    Police officers disperse pro-Palestinian students and protesters who set up an encampment on the campus of New York University. AFP
  • A protester outside New York University. Reuters
    A protester outside New York University. Reuters
  • Pro-Palestinian protesters gather in front of Sproul Hall on the campus of the University of California, Berkeley. AP
    Pro-Palestinian protesters gather in front of Sproul Hall on the campus of the University of California, Berkeley. AP
  • Pro-Israeli demonstrators chant 'shame' after Columbia University assistant professor Shai Davidai was denied access to the main campus. AP
    Pro-Israeli demonstrators chant 'shame' after Columbia University assistant professor Shai Davidai was denied access to the main campus. AP
  • A tent used by pro-Palestinian demonstrators at MIT. Bloomberg
    A tent used by pro-Palestinian demonstrators at MIT. Bloomberg
  • A coalition of University of Michigan students rally to pressure the university to divest its endowment from companies that support Israel. Reuters
    A coalition of University of Michigan students rally to pressure the university to divest its endowment from companies that support Israel. Reuters
  • A sign at the University of Michigan. Reuters
    A sign at the University of Michigan. Reuters
  • A pro-Palestinian protester in front of Sproul Hall in Berkeley, California. Getty Images / AP
    A pro-Palestinian protester in front of Sproul Hall in Berkeley, California. Getty Images / AP
  • NYPD officers detain pro-Palestinian students and protesters who had set up an encampment on the campus of New York University (NYU) to protest the Israel-Hamas war, in New York on April 22, 2024. Universities have become the focus of intense cultural debate in the United States since the October 7 Hamas attack and Israel's overwhelming military response to it. (Photo by Alex Kent / AFP)
    NYPD officers detain pro-Palestinian students and protesters who had set up an encampment on the campus of New York University (NYU) to protest the Israel-Hamas war, in New York on April 22, 2024. Universities have become the focus of intense cultural debate in the United States since the October 7 Hamas attack and Israel's overwhelming military response to it. (Photo by Alex Kent / AFP)
  • Police in Riot gear stand guard as demonstrators chant slogans outside the Columbia University campus. AP
    Police in Riot gear stand guard as demonstrators chant slogans outside the Columbia University campus. AP
  • Pro-Palestinian students and activists protest against the Israel-Gaza war on the campus of New York University. AFP
    Pro-Palestinian students and activists protest against the Israel-Gaza war on the campus of New York University. AFP

Which US universities have protests against the Israel-Gaza war?


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Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza

A fast-building wave of protests reminiscent of the anti-Vietnam War movement is sweeping universities across the US in response to the Israel-Gaza war, leading to hundreds of arrests and forcing some institutions to mandate remote learning and final exams.

The protests have been brewing for months, but picked up steam after more than 100 pro-Palestinian demonstrators who camped out on Columbia University's upper Manhattan campus were arrested in mid-April.

Here is a look at where some of the largest protests are happening:

Columbia University

The elite private university in New York City has called in police twice in two weeks to respond to pro-Palestine student protesters calling for Columbia to divest from Israeli companies and cut ties with Israeli institutions.

A group of students had set up tents on one of the university's lawns early on April 17 to form what they called a “Gaza Solidarity Encampment”. Barnard, a women's college that is part of Columbia, has also been active in the protest.

After police cleared the camp and arrested more than 100 people, a new encampment maintained a physical presence on campus while facing threats of intervention by the National Guard and claims of anti-Semitism.

Columbia University has a history of protest, most notably in 1968, when hundreds of students angry about racism and the Vietnam War occupied five campus buildings.

The university called police again on April 30 to clear the encampment and a new student occupation of an academic building, which resulted in more than 100 arrests.

The president also asked that there be a police presence on campus until after the term ends and commencement takes place. The university announced that classes have been moved online.

Yale University

At Yale, in New Haven, Connecticut, police arrested 60 people including 47 students early on April 22, after university president Peter Salovey cited “harmful acts and threatening language used against individuals at or near the protest sites”.

The arrests came more than a week after a group of graduate students began a hunger strike to pressure the famed Ivy League school to divest from companies arming and equipping Israel.

The student group Hunger Strikers for Palestine had written to Mr Salovey, accusing Yale of “complicity in genocide” in Gaza and demanding that he publicly commit to ending the university's investments in arms firms.

A protest group continued a camp without tents to comply with campus rules, but with sleeping bags and protest signs, until April 29, a Faculty for Justice in Palestine member at Yale told The National.

New York University

Police said 133 protesters were taken into custody on disorderly conduct charges late on April 22 after a protest camp was set up on the plaza in front of New York University's business school.

An NYU spokesman said the demonstration was held without notice or authorisation. The state university called in police to clear the demonstration after additional protesters, many not affiliated with NYU, joined in.

Campus authorities boarded up the plaza with plywood, and students started another tent camp at another plaza on April 26. The universities warned that participants would be disciplined.

On the East Coast

Also in New York, protests and encampments were reported at The New School, the Fashion Institute of Technology and CUNY City College.

Massachusetts, the US state known for its many academic institutions, has had several protest camps.

More than a dozen tents were set up by students on a campus lawn at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge. Members claim the school has direct funding from Israel's Ministry of Defence.

Harvard University students pitched tents on the Harvard Yard, a day after the school banned the Palestine Solidarity Committee group from operating, and days after the school limited access to the lawn.

Emerson College students set up tents in an alley near academic buildings in downtown Boston, before it was cleared by police, resulting in around 100 arrests.

Encampments in the Boston area were also seen at Northeastern University and Tufts University.

Also in the north-east region, pro-Palestine camps were seen at Princeton University in New Jersey and Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.

Also on the East Coast, students gathered at George Washington University in the nation's capital, multiple University of North Carolina campuses, as well as Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.

In the Midwest region

Protesters set up more than 30 tents and continued holding a physical presence on the central part of the University of Michigan's Ann Arbor campus called the Diag for two weeks.

Police cleared an encampment at the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus on May 1, which resulted in 34 arrests. Protesters set up tents almost immediately afterwards.

Nine anti-war protesters at the University of Minnesota were arrested after police took down a camp a couple of hours after it was set up in front of the library.

There were also pro-Palestine camps and protests at Northwestern University in Illinois, Washington University in St Louis, Missouri, University of Colorado in Denver, Ohio State University and Indiana University.

In the South, a large group of students at University of Texas, Austin, occupied a part of the South Mall lawn. More than 50 people were arrested when the camp was cleared by police. The charges for UT Austin students were later dropped.

Protests have continued at the Austin campus and a second police crackdown resulted in 79 arrests on April 29.

The University of Texas, Dallas, also had a sit-in take place over two nights in April before it dispersed. A new encampment was set up on May 1.

On the West Coast

University of California, Los Angeles, saw clashes take place between protests around the pro-Palestine camp through late April, but these reached a fever pitch on April 30.

News reports and social media video showed Israel supporters attacking the anti-war encampment before police were called to the scene.

University of California, Berkeley, students pitched tents on its Sproul Plaza to continue its call for the university system to divest from indirectly funding Israel and set up a Palestinian studies programme.

At the University of Southern California, some protesters set up tents on the Alumni Park lawn before it was cleared by local law enforcement. More than 90 people were arrested and the campus was briefly closed. The school has cancelled commencement after cancelling a speech by the Muslim valedictorian.

Student demonstrators occupied and barricaded buildings that forced a campus shutdown at California State Polytechnic University in Humboldt for more than a week. Police cracked down on April 30 and arrested 25 people.

Outside the US

Pro-Palestine rallies have been held at Sciences Po in France, which has a dual-degree relationship with Columbia University. Protesters demanded that the school cut ties with universities and companies involved in Israel's war on Gaza.

Camps against Israel's war on Gaza also popped up at the McGill University campus in Montreal, Canada, and Sydney University in Australia.

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Rating: 1/5

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hall of shame

SUNDERLAND 2002-03

No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.

SUNDERLAND 2005-06

Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.

HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19

Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.

ASTON VILLA 2015-16

Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.

FULHAM 2018-19

Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.

LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.

BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66

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Stage 1: The Pointe Palm Jumeirah - Dubai Silicon Oasis, 148km
Stage 2: Hatta - Hatta Dam, 168km​​​​​​​
Stage 3: Al Qudra Cycle Track - Jebel Hafeet, 184km​​​​​​​
Stage 4: Zabeel Park - Dubai City Walk, 173km​​​​​​​
Stage 5: Al Ain - Jebel Hafeet, 162km​​​​​​​
Stage 6: Al Ruwais - Al Mirfa, 158km​​​​​​​
Stage 7: Al Maryah Island - Abu Dhabi Breakwater, 127km

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

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Tips for job-seekers
  • Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
  • Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.

David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East

Updated: May 01, 2024, 10:03 PM