Campus Tensions Escalate: Outside Agitators Spark Anti-Israel Protests, Police Intervention Required at Multiple U.S. Universities

Multiple anti-Israel protesters, some of whom were not part of the university community, were arrested during demonstrations at Emory University in Atlanta last Thursday. Police used tear gas, rubber bullets, and Tasers to control crowds after protestors set up tents on a campus quad ahead of commencement ceremonies. The university stated that 20 out of the 28 people apprehended were members of the institution but acknowledged the presence of non-affiliated individuals who ignored warnings from police officers and refused to confirm their connection with Emory University. Similar incidents have been reported at other US universities, including George Washington University in D.C., Ohio State University, The University of Texas at Austin, Northeastern University in Boston, and Columbia University in New York City where agitators have chanted anti-Jewish slogans and accused university presidents of leaving the state while protesters were being arrested by police officers. NYPD Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry has warned that outside groups are attempting to hijack peaceful protests at various demonstrations, sometimes switching sides depending on the week, spewing hateful messages such as “Kill the Jews”. Police departments across different US cities have vowed to address these issues after university presidents requested their assistance.