Silent Pro-Israel Protest at NYU Draws Violent Altercation

On November 7th, students at New York University (NYU) staged a peaceful protest at Bobst Library in response to Pro-Palestinian rallies by the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) organization. This action was prompted by various Jewish students who felt unsafe in what they perceived to be a “hostile environment” created by SJP’s anti-Israel protests.

The most recent of these protests, titled “Picket For Palestine: NYU All out for Palestine,” took place on November 2nd. Masked demonstrators circled the library, holding posters calling for a ceasefire and an end to Zionism. One of these protesters, who was Anti-Israel, was caught on camera spitting on a banner with the word “Jewish” and mimicking the Nazi salute.

Masked man accused of Nazi Salute at anti-Israel protest

In response to these incidents, the New Zionist Congress and Students Supporting Israel called for a peaceful demonstration. Students were encouraged to sit on the couches of NYU’s Bobst Library, on the first floor, wearing blue and white, while continuing their work in peace.

The organizations explained, “Let’s show NYU, professors, and our peers that Jewish students aren’t afraid or intimidated. We are not Jews with trembling knees.”

Many NYU professors and students came out against the event saying that Jewish students have “controlled the narrative on campus” and there is a lack of Palestinian representation. NYU student Ethan Morali responded to these oppositions stating, “I just have one message, it’s just that you know we’re going about our protest in a peaceful manner and honestly, frankly, if you’re opposed to a peaceful protest then it says a lot about your opposition.”

The library soon became a symbol of resilience, occupied by students holding Israeli flags and posters that stated, “Stand With Israel.” Students suggested that the peaceful protest served as a reminder that dialogue and understanding are the keys to resolving conflicts and fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all students.

NYU Students holding flags in peaceful protest.

Despite the peaceful nature of the protest, conflict occurred when an NYU student approached a silent protester doing her work with an Israeli flag wrapped around her body. He started yelling and calling the people around her “New Brooklyners,” an Anti-Semitic trope used to suggest that the Jews took over Brooklyn and would do the same to other areas.

The student was shocked and left Bobst while the man began chanting vile sentiments such as, “I hope you get skin cancer.” When the two protesters reached the exit, the assailant jammed the turnstile on the protesters’ hands. A cameraman, concerned for the student’s safety, continued to try and exit the vicinity with her when the assaulter proceeded to follow them outside. He denied having attacked her and began to get irritated by their responses. He then punched the cameraman in the throat two times before throwing his phone on the ground, permanently damaging it. Both protesters have physical evidence of the assault.

Campus safety did not act and waited for NYPD to arrive. The NYPD intervened, separating the involved parties, and arrested the aggressor. Both victims were medically evaluated by ambulance personnel and subsequently cleared to depart the scene.

The Jewish student community has expressed their concern, stating that this incident only underscores their vulnerability on campus. One student voiced their fear, saying, “We are being assaulted on campus by our own peers just for being Jewish.” 

Perhaps most scary lies in the fact that campus safety, a network designed to protect students, did nothing but watch both protestors be violently attacked before making any effort to try and separate the assailant from the two students. This is unfortunate as part of NYU President Linda Mills's respect campaign aims to provide students with a safer and more respectful campus environment revolving around a doubling of safety workers.

Afterward, Dean Rodriguez (Dean of Students) and Melissa Carter (Head of Global Spiritual Life) asked the group of peaceful protesters to pack up and leave for their safety. They added that the use of flags by Jewish students is not allowed to be displayed on campus, which was later refuted by various sources. The students ultimately complied but said they were disappointed and scared.

NYU has yet to release a public response to the incident.