Israel-Hamas war Coverage

NC lawmakers move forward with bill defining antisemitism

North Carolina lawmakers voted Wednesday to approve a bill that would add a broad definition of antisemitism to state law.

NC House votes overwhelmingly to approve bill defining antisemitism

State house lawmakers voted almost unanimously Wednesday afternoon on a bill that would add a broad definition of antisemitism to state law. It now goes to the state Senate for further debate and a potential vote there.

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief

Budd meets with Netanyahu, calls chants of student protests 'anti-American'

U.S. Sen. Ted Budd, R-North Carolina, blamed the Biden administration for withholding bombs from Israel and said the U.S. should support its "greatest ally" in the Middle East. He also called for a North Carolina native taken hostage by Hamas.

Brian Murphy, WRAL News

Biden says US won't supply weapons for Israel to attack Rafah, in warning to ally

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Wednesday that he would not supply offensive weapons that Israel could use to launch an all-out assault on Rafah — the last major Hamas stronghold in Gaza — over concern for the well-being of the more than 1 million civilians sheltering there.

By ZEKE MILLER and AAMER MADHANI, Associated Press

'Not going to stop': Protesters march in Raleigh, calling for ceasefire in Gaza

Protesters gathered Tuesday night in Moore Square, calling on the Israeli government to end its invasion of Rafah in Gaza and an end to hostilities between Israel and Hamas. The protesters gathered just after 6 p.m. at the park and began marching down East Hargett Street just after 7 p.m. Those in attendance say they will continue their protests while the war continues.

Julian Grace, WRAL anchor/reporter

Protesters who wear masks or block traffic should face harsher penalties: NC lawmakers

A bill proposing harsher punishments against protesters comes as protests over the Israel-Hamas conflict have been staged on college campuses in recent months. The idea met no resistance in a state Senate committee Tuesday.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

Israel Steps Up Attacks on Rafah After Hamas Shifts Position on Cease-fire

JERUSALEM -- Israel stepped up attacks Monday in the southern city of Rafah hours after Hamas said it would accept the terms of a cease-fire plan drawn from a proposal by Egyptian and Qatari mediators.

Adam Rasgon, New York Times

More than 760 UNC faculty sign petition for amnesty for students suspended after pro-Palestine demonstrations

More than 700 employees signed a petition to grant amnesty to the students facing disciplinary action after last week's protests. They're requesting amnesty for all students who were detained and suspended last week.

Kelsey Coffey and Shaun Gallagher, WRAL reporters

UNC faculty calls for amnesty for students suspended after campus protests

Hundreds of faculty and staff at UNC are calling for amnesty for the students who have been suspended over their involvement in the pro-Palestinian protests on campus. Those school employees signed a petition they will deliver to school leaders Monday.

Pro-Palestinian protesters disperse after blocking Franklin Street, marching through UNC campus

The protest comes days after intense protests broke out on the university's Y Campus. Several pro-Palestinian protesters removed the flag at Polk Place and replaced it with a Palestinian Flag on Tuesday, April 30.

Carly Haynes, WRAL reporter

$400 million boost in federal funds for security at places of worship

NEW YORK (AP) -- A $400 million increase in federal funding is available for security in places of worship, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced Sunday.

Associated Press

How they voted: NC congressional votes for the week ending May 2

A look at how North Carolina members of Congress voted during the previous week.

Targeted News Service

In Depth with Dan: Mail bag FLAG

WRAL anchor/reporter Dan Haggerty dives into the story of a GoFundMe campaign for UNC Fraternity brothers that has reached nearly half a million dollars. The brothers are being hailed as heroes for protecting the American flag from touching the ground during a campus protest.

'Not proud of UNC:' Protesters march through campus, stopping traffic and interrupting student activities

Protesters marched around UNC on Friday morning. Their nearly-two mile loop stopped traffic and interrupted students daily activities.

Shaun Gallagher, WRAL reporter

Pro-Palestinian protesters march around UNC on Friday

Protesters marched around UNC on Friday morning. Their nearly-two mile loop stopped traffic and interrupted students daily activities.

Wake Forest University police investigating vandalism after antisemitic language found spray painted on sidewalks

One case of the vandalism included antisemitic language. Officials said the university has also received reports of racist, anti-Black, antisemitic, Islamophobic, and homophobic speech.

WXII

Barricades installed, campus Y closed at UNC

Barricades has been placed on the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill quad after Tuesday's pro-Palestinian protest. The on-campus Y is also closed Thursday.

UNC puts up 12-foot barricade, closes Campus Y after Tuesday's protests

The 12-foot-tall metal fences sit at Polk Place at 201 South Road. Despite the extra security measures, an online post said there may be another protest on campus Friday morning.

Chelsea Donovan, WRAL reporter

Antisemitism bill passes amid pro-Palestine protests

Lawmakers responded to demonstrations with the Antisemitism Awareness Act that critics said hurts free speech on campuses.

'Order must prevail': Biden comments on campus protests

President Biden addressed the protests on university campuses across the country where groups are protesting Israel's actions in Gaza.

UNC faculty request better communication from school

One day after pro-Palestinian protesters clashed with police at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Several UNC faculty members gathered to voice what they felt the school administration could've done better.

A day after police confront protesters, UNC examines best practices for tense situations on campus

At UNC-Chapel Hill, the scene was completely different on Wednesday as opposed to Tuesday. Campus police were seen wandering about but no protesters could be seen.

Chelsea Donovan, WRAL reporter

UNC examines policies on police intervention, guidelines for on-campus protests

Campus police were seen wandering about but no protesters on Wednesday. WRAL News talked to two experts about the laws surrounding these protests, and when police can intervene.

College protests: NYPD clears occupied building, arrests dozens at Columbia

Police have swept through campuses across the U.S. over the last two weeks in response to protests calling on universities to stop doing business with Israel or companies that support the war in Gaza.

Pro-Palestinian protesters, police clash at UNC after chaotic day of protests

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill canceled classes on Tuesday after pro-Palestinian protesters and UNC police officers clashed on campus earlier in the day.