Protests at UCLA: Clash between Pro-Palestinian and Pro-Israeli Groups
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), has become the latest site of clashes between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli groups as demonstrations over the war in Gaza continue to sweep across US campuses. The nationwide rallies, which have seen hundreds of arrests, show no signs of stopping.
At UCLA, tensions reached a breaking point when physical altercations broke out after a barrier separating the two sides was breached. The White House has emphasized the importance of peaceful demonstrations, with National Security Council spokesman John Kirby condemning any instances of hate speech, threats of violence, and antisemitic incidents that have been reported.
Growing Pro-Palestinian Encampment and Pro-Israeli Counter-Protesters
At UCLA, a pro-Palestinian encampment has been steadily growing in size in recent days, paralleled by a group of pro-Israeli counter-protesters organized by the Israeli American Council (IAC). The IAC has expressed deep concern over the reported antisemitism, including incidents at Columbia University in New York City. However, many pro-Palestinian protesters at UCLA have distanced themselves from these antisemitic incidents and have attributed them to outside agitators.
A group of 21 Democratic members of Congress has called on Columbia University to end what they perceive as the unauthorized encampment of anti-Israel and anti-Jewish activists on campus. This call for action has largely come from the Republican side of the political divide. Despite talks between protest organizers and the university, a resolution has yet to be reached, and alternative options to end the crisis are being discussed.
Outside Involvement and Escalating Violence
According to reports from Reuters, at least some of the protesters involved in the disturbances at UCLA appeared to have come from outside the university. The two groups had remained peaceful until Sunday when campus police intervened, separating them as they pushed, shoved, and traded punches. It remains unclear which group broke through the barrier between them.
The tensions at US universities have intensified following the October 7th Hamas attack, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people in Israel, and the subsequent Israeli military assault that has claimed the lives of over 34,000 people in Gaza. In the past two weeks, a nationwide uprising has emerged, challenging university officials and law enforcement who have struggled to contain the protests. Outside groups have been blamed for infiltrating the demonstrations.
The protests have not been limited to the United States, as a pro-Palestinian camp with around 20 tents has been established on the grounds of McGill University in Montreal, Canada. Activists in both countries are demanding a ceasefire in the conflict and urging their universities, many of which have significant financial resources, to sever financial ties with Israel. They argue that companies doing business with or in Israel are complicit in the ongoing war in Gaza, as are the institutions that invest in these companies.
Addressing Antisemitism Concerns
US officials have also been working to address alleged incidents of antisemitism on campuses, with Jewish students expressing fears for their safety. These incidents range from chants and signs supporting Hamas, a proscribed terror group in the US, to physical altercations and perceived threats. Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, reported “virulent antisemitic slurs” during a student protest and accused “professional organizers with no affiliation to Northeastern” of infiltrating the demonstration. Over 100 people were detained in connection with the incident.
As the protests continue to unfold, universities and law enforcement agencies are grappling with the challenge of maintaining peace while upholding the rights of protesters to voice their concerns. The situation remains tense, and efforts to find a resolution continue.
