WASHINGTON (CBS19 NEWS) -- Student protests over the Israel-Hamas war have popped up at many college campuses following the arrest of demonstrators this month at Columbia University, including on some campuses across Virginia.

The students are calling for universities to separate themselves from companies that are advancing Israel's military efforts in Gaza — and, in some cases, from Israel itself.

Virginia Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine are weighing in on the protests.

Warner says while he "absolutely supports the First Amendment right to protest peacefully," there is no place for anti-Semitism and anti-Islamic rhetoric or beliefs in America. He believes a hostage deal between Hamas and Israel could lead to a ceasefire and lower tensions, thus defusing protests. 

"But I also believe it is the responsibility, and I believe it is the responsibilities of the universities to make sure that that peaceful right to protest continues as one of the hallmarks of our nation, but I also feel like there are laws and when laws are broken, the law needs to be enforced," said Warner.

Protests on many campuses have been orchestrated by coalitions of student groups.

Senator Kaine encourages university presidents to make room for dialogue but agrees with Warner that there needs to be consequences for those more interested in disruption. 

"We hear about some colleges where some things are going wrong, there are also colleges that are getting this right. And I think elevating the colleges that have been able to do a good job in having vigorous debate and dialogue short of disruption, that might give other college presidents and university communities ideas about the way to do this right," said Kaine.

Some universities say outsiders have joined student protesters and caused trouble. The protests have even spread to Europe, with French police removing dozens of students from Sorbonne University after pro-Palestinian protesters occupied the main courtyard.