The president of Syracuse University expressed his views during a panel discussion in Washington, D.C., asserting that pro-Hamas and anti-Israel protests might be encouraged and possibly orchestrated by Iran.
On Tuesday, Kent Syverud participated in the panel alongside presidents from Vanderbilt University and Washington University in St. Louis, sharing insights on protests at their campuses and others across the nation.
“I genuinely believe that these events were encouraged by Iran,” Syverud told the audience.
He noted, “Our own students were rarely involved in these protests.”
Local officials from Syracuse also commented on the challenges in holding individuals responsible, including students, who used face coverings to hide their identities.
“People were using masks to evade accountability for their words and actions,” Syverud remarked, suggesting that those wearing masks might be “activists from outside” the university.
Daniel Diermeyer, the president of Vanderbilt, also highlighted a clear level of coordination, mentioning that the protests seemed to follow a “strategy” supported by “an organized network” that potentially motivated students and disruptors.
He observed, “[Students] were following a playbook they had seen at Columbia and other places, but the message was consistent. It’s more than just social transmission,” Diermeyer explained.
“I think there’s an organized network at play here. We definitely noticed that,” he added.
Andrew D. Martin, president of the University of Washington, concurred with these observations.
He discussed various incidents on their campus, including attempts to establish encampments, leading to arrests to manage the situation and maintain order.
“Three-quarters of those involved had no connection to our university,” Martin added.
The discussion was part of an event hosted by a group of alumni focused on promoting equity on college campuses and combating anti-Semitism across the U.S.
These protests mainly erupted following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Columbia University experienced numerous protests at its gates, especially after changing rules that previously allowed demonstrations. For instance, in April, over 100 protesters were arrested when the NYPD dismantled a camp disrupting student movement on campus.
In May, the Butler Library at Columbia, humorously dubbed “Basel Al-Araj Popular University,” was taken over by demonstrators.
Law enforcement returned to the site, leading to several arrests and more than 70 students facing suspension or expulsion.
Similar demonstrations occurred at other major universities such as Harvard, New York University, and UCLA.
Syracuse University did not respond when asked for comments on these events.
