New York Democratic Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jamaal Bowman, both members of “The Squad,” visited Columbia University and showed support for anti-Israel agitators protesting the Israeli military’s actions in Gaza. Ocasio-Cortez was seen mingling with protesters and offering her support, while Bowman was photographed listening to those involved in the encampment protest. Their visits came after fellow Squad member Rep. Ilhan Omar visited the school with her daughter, who had been suspended from Barnard College for participating in anti-Israel demonstrations on campus.
The appearances of the three Squad members at Columbia University are part of a larger trend of anti-Israel protests sweeping college campuses across the United States. Ocasio-Cortez has been vocal in her support for these protests, condemning police enforcement on nonviolent demonstrations on campus. However, concerns have been raised among the Jewish community about student safety, as anti-Israel protesters have been heard chanting violent slogans such as “Burn Tel Aviv to the ground” and expressing support for Hamas and their rockets.
Anti-Israel activists at Columbia University have been staging fiery protests, with some calling for an intifada and the death of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Omar suggested that public officials and media members are trying to make the Gaza cease-fire encampment protests at Columbia look bad in order to shut them down. Social media videos from the protests show activists cheering on the deaths of Israeli soldiers and showing support for Hamas, leading to reports of Jewish students feeling unsafe and being verbally and physically assaulted on campus.
The actions of the Squad members at Columbia University have drawn criticism from some, with a Columbia professor labeling Ocasio-Cortez as an “agent of chaos” for calling the anti-Israel protests nonviolent. Concerns about student safety have prompted warnings to Jewish students to leave campus, as the NYPD cannot guarantee their safety. The protests and tensions at Columbia and other universities highlight the complex and divisive nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the impact it can have on college campuses in the United States.
The demonstrations at Columbia University and other schools are part of a larger wave of anti-Israel protests happening nationwide. The conflict in the Middle East has historically sparked strong emotions and activism on college campuses, with students engaging in heated debates on the issue. The presence of high-profile politicians like the Squad members at these protests adds another layer to the ongoing debate and raises questions about the role of public officials in supporting and amplifying controversial causes. As tensions continue to escalate, it is clear that the issue of Israel and Palestine remains a deeply divisive and contentious topic that will continue to provoke strong reactions and protests in various communities and settings.
