The Israel-Hamas war|The demonstrations

Analysis: Biden's risk-taking creates pressure from both sides

Joe Biden is wedged between the right and the left, writes the BBC's Anthony Zurcher in an analysis of the pro-Palestinian university protests. One side is critical of US support for Israel and the other is concerned that civil order is threatened, he writes.

According to Zurcher, the president has taken clear political risks by not listening to party friends who think that the stated support for Israel has been too strong. Biden must now trust that the negotiations between Israel and Hamas go forward, he writes.

"Any sign of progress would be welcome news for a Biden administration that is under increasing pressure to stop — at least temporarily — the civilian bloodshed and suffering in Gaza."

CNN's Stephen Collinson writes that Biden's decision to comment on the protests this week was a way to avoid progressive voters turning their backs on him in the fall presidential election.

His speech that the protesters have the right to protest, but that order must be maintained, was also a way to reach those who neither sympathize with the protesters nor the Republicans who want to see tough interventions, according to Collinson.

"But the president's hopes for re-election may depend on his fragile political base starting to listen to him".

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Review: Pro-Israeli were behind violence at UCLA

Pro-Israel counter-protesters were largely driving the violent confrontations between police and Gaza activists at UCLA University in Los Angeles this week, according to an investigation by the New York Times.

The newspaper has analyzed over a hundred videos showing pro-Israel protesters, protesting the activists' occupation, tearing down the fence of the occupied building. They attacked the occupiers with sticks and fireworks.

In the videos, the police have not yet appeared. In contrast, the university's own staff largely stand passively and watch.

A few hours later, the police entered the building and dispersed the occupants. Over 200 were arrested in the operation.