College campuses across the nation are experiencing a surge in radical, pro-Hamas activism, reminiscent of the violent Antifa protests of 2020 and 2021. This brand of activism is not new, but it is becoming increasingly structured, militant, and often escalates quickly, fostering environments where antisemitism can thrive unchecked. What we’re seeing unfold is a worrying echo of the Antifa-led disruptions during the Black Lives Matter movement, which often spiraled into violence and chaos.
Hundreds of anti-Israel protesters marched towards NYPD headquarters late Monday night, following the arrest of over 150 students at New York University (NYU). The protests, which escalated after NYU demanded police intervention to disperse a student encampment, saw demonstrators waving flags, chanting slogans, and holding flares. The NYPD arrested over 150 protesters as they broke up the NYU camp, with dozens more arrested at Columbia University and Yale. The protests reflect a surge of antisemitic demonstrations on college campuses since the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) drew criticism for comparing ongoing pro-Palestine protests at Columbia University to the 2017 white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, sparking backlash online. Fetterman’s comments came amid concerns about antisemitism on college campuses, with some users alleging that the protests were motivated by hate towards Jewish students.
