Students at elite college campuses across the United States are forming 'Gaza Solidarity' encampments and participating in marches to call on their respective schools to stop supporting Israel. However, some of these protests have taken a turn towards hate and antisemitism.
At Columbia University in New York, protesters were heard shouting slogans like 'We are Hamas' and 'Go back to Poland.' Additionally, a protester at Princeton was reported to have held up a Hezbollah terror flag, which was promptly asked to be put away by organizers.
The U.S. State Department officially designates Hezbollah as a foreign terrorist organization. Hezbollah primarily operates out of southern Lebanon and has a history of attacking Israel. They have launched missile attacks from Israel's northern border and neighboring Syria, prompting criticism and retaliation from Israel.
University police at Princeton arrested two individuals following the protests, which initially began as a sit-in on McCosh Courtyard. Some protesters then started erecting tents, violating school policy. Princeton University Public Safety gave warnings before taking action, and all tents were voluntarily taken down by the protesters.
Princeton University President Christopher Eisgruber emphasized the importance of abiding by strict rules during protests and demonstrations. He stated that while protests are allowed, they should not involve threats, harassment, or disruptive conduct. Eisgruber warned that individuals engaging in unlawful disruptive behavior would be arrested and barred from campus immediately.
