Protests over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have spread to college campuses across the United States in recent weeks — and one demonstration turned violent on Monday night.
At Columbia University in New York, dozens of protesters smashed windows and stormed Hamilton Hall early Tuesday morning, barricading entrances and hanging a “Free Palestine” banner from a window and an “Intifada” banner, which is a call for violence against Jews.
The protesters renamed the building after a 6-year-old Palestinian girl they claim was killed by Israel. The university said it had begun suspending students who refused to leave an encampment on campus after a Monday deadline.
NEW: Pro-Palestine protesters have seized Hamilton Hall at Columbia University and barricaded themselves inside.
The move came just hours after the school began suspending students over the protests.
The protesters draped a banner after taking over the building that read… pic.twitter.com/6kG4wq1K3v
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) April 30, 2024
The wave of protests began in response to Israel’s ongoing offensive in Gaza, which Israel says is aimed at stamping out the radical Islamic terrorist group Hamas after it launched attacks that killed over 1,200 Israeli civilians and took hundreds of civilians hostage.
Hamas, which controls Gaza, claims tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians have been killed in the Israeli operation. The exact casualty figures are difficult to verify independently due to the chaotic situation on the ground.
Demonstrations have occurred at numerous other campuses nationwide. At the University of Texas at Austin, at least 40 protesters were arrested Monday. The University of Utah saw a confrontation between police and protesters trying to maintain an encampment, with 17 arrests. Princeton University reported 13 arrests, including 11 students, after a brief occupation of a building housing a graduate school.
While protesters say they are engaging in peaceful opposition to Israel’s actions, there have been numerous disturbing instances of antisemitic rhetoric and threats. Protesters have been repeatedly caught on camera making hateful remarks against Jews or expressing support for violence.
Israel and its supporters have pointed to the antisemitic incidents as evidence that the campus protests are fueled by bigotry rather than genuine concern for Palestinians. However, organizers, including a handful who say they’re Jewish, insist that the demonstrations are aimed at criticizing specific Israeli government policies and military actions, not attacking Jews as a whole.
Some schools, such as Northwestern University, have reached an agreement with protesters to allow limited ongoing demonstrations. Others, like the University of Southern California, have taken a harder line, canceling graduation speeches and events in response to security concerns.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has a long, painful history. Recent events, including Hamas attacks on Israeli civilians and Israel’s military response, have inflamed tensions and sparked passionate reactions worldwide.
However, regardless of one’s views on the conflict itself, there can be no excuse for antisemitism, threats, or violence.