Controversy and Tensions Rise as Pro-Israel and Pro-Palestinian Demonstrations Take Place on U.S. College Campuses
New York, October 12 (Reuters) – Tensions between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups have reached a boiling point on college campuses across the United States as the conflict in the Middle East escalates. On Thursday, two groups of hundreds of students faced off in dueling demonstrations at Columbia University, while university officials restricted public access to the campus for safety reasons.
Supporters of Palestinians, many of whom hid their identities behind face masks, gathered near a library holding signs that read “Free Palestine” and “To Exist is to Resist.” Just 100 feet away, students backing Israel silently held up posters featuring the faces of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas.
Following a weekend attack by Hamas on Israel, Israel has launched a barrage of attacks on the Gaza Strip, controlled by Hamas, and is planning a ground invasion. The death toll has risen to more than 1,300 Israelis, while Gaza authorities reported more than 1,500 Palestinian casualties.
As tensions rise, reports of harassment and assaults on students supporting both sides have emerged, causing fear and outrage among Jewish students. Public officials and corporations have expressed wider rebuke, further deepening the grief and putting all students on high alert.
“Jewish students are afraid,” remarked David Hidary, a 20-year-old physics major attending the Columbia protest while draped in an Israeli flag.
The heated atmosphere at the demonstrations was palpable, with some counter-protesters shouting angrily at the pro-Palestinian group. During a moment of silence for Palestinian victims, one opposing protester interrupted, insisting that they should honor children murdered by Hamas instead.
Several speakers at the pro-Palestine rally chose not to disclose their full names, citing concerns about their safety on campus. Many criticized the university for not providing enough support for Palestinian students and the people of Gaza.
The situation is expected to become increasingly tense in the coming days as Israel vows to retaliate against Hamas for the deadliest attack carried out by Palestinian militants in Israeli history.
College administrators are now faced with the challenge of ensuring campus security while denouncing the violence in the Middle East. Balancing this task without getting too entangled in the highly contentious political and historical dispute that affects Jewish and Palestinian students personally poses a significant challenge.
A controversy at Harvard University on Monday highlighted these challenges. Prominent alumni criticized a joint student group statement that blamed Israel entirely for the war, leading the university president to clarify that the groups did not represent the official position of the school. Subsequently, personal information of allegedly involved students was published online, and a billboard truck displaying the information was driven around campus.
Tensions further escalated on Thursday as the national group Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) declared a “day of resistance” with demonstrations taking place at its 200 chapters across North America. The Anti-Defamation League, an organization combating antisemitism, wrote a letter to college presidents, accusing Students for Justice in Palestine of “condoning terrorism by Hamas” and labeling its planned day of action as an endorsement of terrorism.
Some chapters of SJP had to cancel their protests due to safety concerns, while others proceeded despite reports of harassment and assault. Georgetown University’s SJP chapter chose to host a vigil but restricted media access due to increased harassment and threats against Palestinian, Arab, Muslim, and anti-Zionist students.
The campus climate is tense, and the situation is being closely monitored. College administrators continue to grapple with finding ways to keep campuses secure and ensure the well-being of all students, while also addressing the ongoing violence in the Middle East.
Reporting by Gabriella Borter in Washington, Joseph Ax in New York, and Andrew Hay in Taos, New Mexico; Writing by Gabriella Borter; Editing by Paul Thomasch and Cynthia Osterman.