Anti-Israel agitators defaced buildings at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, and staged large-scale protests on the first day of classes on Monday, despite efforts by university officials to prevent a repeat of the spring's unrest.
On Monday morning, the entrance to Day Hall was scrawled in red spray paint with messages such as “Israel Bombs, Cornell Pays Reparations” and “Blood is on Your Hands,” and the glass in the door was smashed.
“We are appalled by the overnight spray-painted graffiti and broken glass along the main entrance to Day Hall,” Cornell Vice President for University Relations Joel Malina said in a statement.
“Any acts of violence, extended occupation of buildings, or damage to property (including graffiti) will not be tolerated and will be responded to immediately by public safety officials,” he added. “Cornell Police are conducting a full investigation, and those responsible will be subject to suspension and/or criminal charges.”
Cornell student accused of threatening to decapitate Jewish baby faces prison time
Anti-Israel vandalism occurred at Day Hall ahead of the first day of classes at Cornell University. (Ming Demers/Cornell Daily Sun)
The so-called activists, who requested anonymity, issued a statement to Cornell University's student newspaper, the Daily Sun, claiming responsibility for the vandalism throughout the night.
“We have been forced to accept that the only way to make our voices heard is to target the only thing the university administration really cares about: property,” the statement to The Sun said. “As the new semester begins, Cornell administration is desperately trying to maintain a semblance of normalcy, knowing that since last semester they have worked tirelessly to keep Cornell functioning as a fascist, classist, imperialist institution.”
The activists' statement alleged that former Cornell University President Martha Pollack “tried to sneak out and retire” after the spring semester after rejecting calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and divestment from Israel. The activists vowed to “continue and escalate our actions for divestment, liberation of Palestine, return of land, and all liberation struggles against imperialism.”
The activists said in a statement that “debate and peaceful protests” will “never be enough to achieve the change we seek”.
On Monday afternoon, about 150 anti-Israel protesters organized by the Mutual Liberation Coalition marched from Haw Plaza to Klarman Hall, filling the building and chanting anti-Semitic slogans calling for the annihilation of the state of Israel, including “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” Using zip ties, protesters held up a banner that read, “People's School Opening Soon.”
Police arrived about 20 minutes after protesters filled Clerman Hall and asked for student IDs so they could take disciplinary action against demonstrators, according to the Sun.
Monday's demonstration marked the first anti-Israel protest of the 2024-2025 academic year, but some students questioned whether university officials would take effective steps to curb the behavior, given the reaction to the encampment set up on the Arts Quad on the Ithaca campus. In contrast to other universities, no anti-Israel activists at Cornell were arrested as a result of the encampment, although several students were suspended for the remainder of the spring semester.
“I believe universities are making decisions driven by fear of what kind of disruption students will cause at school,” Cornell University junior Amanda Silverstein told Fox & Friends First on Monday. “As we head into the new semester, university officials need to remember that these blatant anti-Semitism and blatant illegal acts will continue on campus unless they are punished. They need to hold students accountable, or they are effectively condoning and allowing this behavior to continue.”
Anti-Israel agitators filled Cornell University's Clarman Hall on Monday. (Judy Lucas, Ithaca Voice/TMX)
Cornell student accused of threatening to decapitate Jewish babies remains in prison
In a separate statement released Monday, Cornell University interim President Michael Kotlikoff and Interim Dean John Siricano shared “specific plans and procedures” if anti-Israel protests continue this fall. They acknowledged that, when possible, “the University will provide access to prominent locations on campus for registered encampments and will strive to minimize the potential disruption of other events.”
As for protesters who don't pre-register their nightly demonstrations or reserve space on campus in advance to camp out, Kotlikoff and Siliciano said, “The university will respond to peaceful camps that do not adhere to these principles with progressive interim measures aimed at ending the activity without resorting to force.”
Students who participate in peaceful protests that do not follow university rules will receive a “timely warning” for a first offense, a temporary non-academic suspension for a second violation of university policy, and “temporary academic suspension” for a third offense. Faculty and staff members will be “referred to their department, school, or administrative leadership for warning, review, and potential sanctions.”
Cornell University Police responded to an anti-Israel protest at Clarman Hall. (Judy Lucas, Ithaca Voice/TMX)
“To be clear, the above describes our response to peaceful protests that do not comply with time, place and manner restrictions,” they said. “However, acts of violence, extended occupation of buildings and destruction of property (including graffiti) will not be tolerated and will be subject to immediate public safety measures. We will consistently enforce these policies against any group or activity, and against any issue or subject.”
The administration also vowed to remain neutral on the subject of the protests.
“It is possible that our campus, like many others, will become a center of protests over the next year. If so, our response will be guided by two fundamental principles. The first is Cornell's long-standing and strong commitment to support freedom of expression and reasoned civil discourse and to be a place where members of our community can express their views without fear of intimidation or repression. The second is the recognition that this right, while fundamental, is not unlimited,” Kotlikoff and Siliciano said.
Click here to get the FOX News app
“Providing a learning environment free of unlawful harassment and discrimination is essential to our educational mission and a clear requirement of federal law,” they continued. “Accordingly, it is our responsibility and obligation to enforce policies to ensure that speech and actions by some members of our community do not infringe on the rights of others. To balance these principles, administrative actions must be consistent and content-neutral.”
