FBI Director Christopher Wray has emphasized his agency’s active partnership with colleges and universities to keep them informed about potential threats of violence in the wake of protests surrounding the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. While the FBI does not directly track college protests, it remains vigilant in providing information to educational institutions as it becomes aware of any possible threats. Director Wray reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to working closely with state and local law enforcement, as well as campus police, to proactively address potential violence. In recent days, numerous protests against the war have emerged on college campuses across the country. These protests gained significant attention at Columbia University after the arrest of over 100 students on Friday. Columbia has become a focal point of political debate regarding the protests, drawing high-profile visits from politicians representing both sides of the political spectrum. Notably, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is expected to visit Jewish students at the university on Wednesday afternoon. Hundreds of students have occupied Columbia’s campus in recent days, advocating for a ceasefire in the conflict and urging Congress to cease military aid to Israel. They have also demanded that the university divest from companies with ties to Israel and enhance financial transparency. Protests also erupted at New York University on Monday, resulting in over 120 arrests. However, no other acts of violence have been reported at any university protests related to the conflict. Protesters at Columbia have strongly refuted allegations of antisemitism. A significant portion of the protesters are Jewish, and a large group gathered at the protest camp on Monday to celebrate the start of a religious holiday. Protest leaders at Columbia issued a statement, expressing frustration with media coverage focusing on individuals who do not represent the majority of protesters and emphasizing their rejection of hate and bigotry. They highlighted the diverse backgrounds of the demonstrators, including Palestinian, Muslim, Arab, Jewish, Black, and pro-Palestinian students and colleagues.
FBI Monitors Threats of Violence on College Campuses Amid Israel-Hamas War Protests
