By Donald Gilpin

The Princeton University Gaza Solidarity Encampment on Cannon Green behind Nassau Hall is approaching two weeks since its inception, and as of press time on Tuesday, May 7 the stand-off continues between pro-Palestinian demonstrators and University officials.

Protesters had scheduled a rally for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, followed by a town hall meeting at 7 p.m., with some speculation that a vote might be taken as to how much longer to continue the encampment.

A group of students and faculty representing the protesters met on Monday with University President Christopher L. Eisgruber, Graduate School Dean Rodney Priestley, and School of Public and International Affairs Dean Amaney Jamal to discuss the protesters’ demands that included complete divestment and dissociation from the U.S. military and the state of Israel, a severing of ties with Israeli academic and cultural institutions, and the dropping of charges against 13 students who were arrested a week ago for occupying the Clio Hall administration building.

Following the meeting, protesters reported that none of their demands had been met and that the encampment would continue, according to The Daily Princetonian student newspaper.

Fourteen of the undergraduate student protesters are continuing a hunger strike that began on Friday, May 3. University Health Services Director of Medical Services Dr. Melissa Marks visited the group on Friday and Sunday to offer health information and ongoing medical support. Outside physicians are also monitoring the group, according to University Media Relations.

Princeton University Director of Media Relations Jennifer Morrill reported that the president and the deans listened to the protesters’ demands, and “President Eisgruber explained that at Princeton divestment is rare and only considered as part of an orderly process that includes input from across the community.”

She continued, “He invited the protesters to engage in that process, which has led in recent years to divestment and dissociation from segments of the fossil fuel industry.”

Morrill also noted that University officials were receptive to the possibility of strengthened ties between Princeton and Palestinian institutions and the establishment of an affinity space on campus for Palestinian students.

She added, “President Eisgruber noted to protesters the need for accountability for isolated incidents in which University rules and laws were broken, such as the brief takeover of Clio Hall on April 29.”

Eisgruber stated, as quoted by Morrill, “I hope the protesters will look for common ground. They are a part of this community and we want to find ways to move forward together.”

In a follow-up May 7 message concerning “recent events and the path ahead,” Eisgruber wrote, “Some people believe we are tolerating too much protest on the campus and some that we are not tolerating enough. Never have I seen our campus more riven with passionate disagreements that encompass the war in Gaza as well as issues about Princeton itself.”

Eisgruber stated that he had heard a wide range of views and concerns about the protest from many students, staff, and faculty members, including support for the protesters as well as concerns over “antisemitic language and behavior that should have no place at Princeton.”

He added, “Finding a path forward will require that we respect all of these perspectives. That will not be easy.”

At Cannon Green early in the afternoon of May 7, about 20 people scattered over the large area were sitting in the sunshine or shade and talking or reading or working on laptops. Some were eating lunch. Others appeared to be studying or working on papers.

Tuesday was Dean’s Day, the University’s deadline for all written work to be submitted. Exams take place later this week and next followed by reunions May 23-26 and graduation on May 28. About 10 University Department of Public Safety security guards, one on the steps of Clio Hall, stood calmly around the perimeter of the green. The Princetonian has reported a drop-off in numbers of active protesters in recent days.

The idyllic setting undoubtedly became more congested, spirited, and noisy later in the day with the scheduled late afternoon rally and evening town hall meeting.

The future of the Gaza Solidarity Encampment remains uncertain. In his May 7 message Eisgruber reflected, “I hope that all of us will find the courage to listen carefully even to those with whom we disagree most.”

He added that he had told the protesters that “we can consider their concerns through appropriate processes that respect the interests of multiple parties and viewpoints, but we cannot allow any group to circumvent those processes or exert special leverage. I hope we can reach a resolution that respects that principle and allows us all to move forward. In the meantime, I ask for your compassion toward those around you, and your help to build bridges across campus differences and to heal the ruptures we now confront.”