At Columbia University, tensions have risen between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian student groups as the Israel-Hamas conflict continues. University officials have limited public access to the campus as a safety precaution. Supporters of Palestinians, many of whom wore face masks to conceal their identities, gathered near the library holding signs that read “Free Palestine” and “To Exist is to Resist.” On the other side, students supporting Israel held up posters with the faces of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas. College campuses across the United States have become flashpoints for protests and demonstrations as the conflict intensifies. Statements from student groups in support of Palestinians have caused fear and outrage among Jewish communities, leading to reports of harassment and assaults on both sides. Some counter-protesters at Columbia shouted angrily at the pro-Palestinian group, while several masked speakers at rallies declined to disclose their full names due to safety concerns. Campus administrators face the challenge of maintaining campus security while denouncing violence without wading too deeply into a highly charged political and historical dispute. In response to the conflict, Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) declared a “day of resistance,” with demonstrations planned at colleges across North America. The Anti-Defamation League criticized SJP for condoning terrorism by Hamas with its planned day of action. Some universities, such as the University of Arizona, Tucson, canceled protests citing safety concerns, while others, like the University of California Los Angeles, continued their demonstrations despite reports of harassment and assaults. Georgetown University’s SJP chapter hosted a vigil but restricted media access due to increased harassment and threats against Palestinian, Arab, Muslim, and anti-Zionist students. As the conflict persists, college campuses remain hotbeds of tension and activism.
