For years, chants calling for “Intifada Globalization” resonated across Europe and the Middle East, openly urging violence against Israelis and Jews. Recently, these calls have intensified and traveled across the ocean to the U.S. What started as campus protests has escalated into actual violent acts.
This week in Boulder, Colorado, a man shouting “Free Palestine” reportedly threw a Molotov cocktail during a gathering meant to support Israeli hostages. Sadly, this chaos led to the deaths of two young staffers at the Israeli Embassy. The assailant claimed, “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza.” Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, who is Jewish, expressed concerns about the implications of this violence, reflecting on its impact on his family.
These incidents aren’t isolated; they’re part of a broader, organized movement linked to Hamas. The same ideology behind recent attacks has been prevalent on university campuses, manifesting as violently anti-Israel and anti-Semitic demonstrations. It’s crucial to clarify that these are not the typical protests of decades past, contrary to what some media suggest. A recent lawsuit highlights that events like the takeover of Hamilton Hall at Columbia University and prolonged protests at UCLA are, in reality, orchestrated efforts by individuals aiming to further Hamas’s agenda of fear and violence against Jews and Israel.
At UCLA, a coalition of rabbis, healthcare workers, and law students took legal action against the anti-Zionist groups responsible for creating a hostile environment. A designated group of security personnel was reportedly armed with makeshift weapons, while participants planned their protests using social media to strategize their efforts. Just days after police dispersed one camp, over 40 protesters were found with tools and guides aimed at occupying university buildings.
At Columbia, a coordinated group stormed Hamilton Hall, using tactics rarely seen outside of extremist groups. Masked individuals were documented entering the venue with ropes and crowbars. Meanwhile, custodians filed lawsuits against those involved, facing accusations of being “Jewish lovers.”
This situation presents a stark contrast to the innocent aspirations for peace. Instead, these protests appear to be organized acts of aggression aimed at spreading violence and confusion. It seems like a calculated use of guerrilla tactics targeting students and faculty in what should be safe spaces.
What’s unfolding now resembles a well-funded, organized campaign with elements that look military in nature, detailed in its planning and execution. The reality calls for a reevaluation of how to counter these actions effectively. Traditionally, legal efforts have focused on holding public universities responsible for fostering hate, with two primary goals: ensuring taxpayer money isn’t used for discrimination and prompting universities to adequately address these issues on their campuses.
Having worked on these strategies two decades ago in the U.S. Department of Education, I recognize the need for adjustment. While past approaches that held universities accountable for anti-Semitic behavior have seen some success, the current landscape demands a more proactive stance.
We now need to not only address the consequences of anti-Semitism but also tackle those who finance and facilitate these actions. This encompasses criminal prosecution and civil litigation against individuals conducting themselves unlawfully on campus. Groups like the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on Islamic Relations (CAIR), which applauded recent violent acts, are pivotal in this dynamic.
The landscape around protests is shifting, and it’s crucial we adapt to these changes.
The Kenneth L. Marcus organization represents custodians at Columbia and members of the UCLA Jewish community in ongoing cases.
