[New York Diary] New York Divided Amid Longstanding Israel-Palestine Hatred

Stories from Everyday Life in New York
Campus Access Restricted Amid Ongoing Israel-Hamas Conflict
Tensions Rise as Pro-Israel and Pro-Palestinian Voices Clash
Concerns Grow Over Hate Crimes and Violence in the Melting Pot
Complex History Deepens the Divide, but Civilian Lives Must Be Protected

On the 12th (local time), when armed clashes between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas continued, access to the Columbia University campus located in Manhattan, New York, USA, was restricted. Areas like South Lawn, which local residents used as a walking path with strollers on nice days, were completely off-limits to outsiders, and all entrances connecting to various parts of the city were closed except for just four. Even at these four open gates, security personnel in uniform sternly checked student IDs one by one before allowing entry. Graduate student Sylvia Leau said, "This is the first time I've seen all the gates closed like this."

On the 12th (local time), students supporting Israel and Palestine simultaneously held protests on the lawn of Columbia University located in Manhattan, New York, USA.

This access restriction was decided after an Israeli student was assaulted in front of the library the previous day in an incident clearly characterized as a hate crime. The fact that students supporting Israel and Palestine had planned to hold simultaneous protests on campus that afternoon also contributed to the decision. Columbia University stated in the access restriction notice, "Our university always aims to be an inclusive community where diverse opinions can be shared through free expression and open dialogue," but expressed concern about the possibility of physical clashes between the two sides due to the simultaneous protests. Moreover, the following day, the 13th, was announced as the so-called ‘day of Jihad,’ with large-scale pro-Palestinian demonstrations expected worldwide.

Students supporting Israel and Palestine each staged protests side by side on the lawn between Columbia University’s plaza and the library that afternoon. Although there were no notable physical confrontations, the atmosphere was somewhat tense as both sides shouted slogans at each other. Outside the main gate, the New York Police Department (NYPD) was on standby in case of emergencies. Mindy Kim (a pseudonym), a postdoctoral researcher at the university who observed the protests, said, "On sunny days, students from all over the world gather here to sit together, read books, eat, and chat," adding, "It’s disheartening that conflicts on the other side of the globe are causing division even among young students. Thinking of the civilians who have been sacrificed makes me feel heavy-hearted." Another Columbia student holding U.S. citizenship said, "This is a sensitive issue as deep as the long history and conflict between the two sides," and declined to comment further.

On the afternoon of the 13th (local time), when a large-scale pro-Palestinian rally is expected, the New York Police Department (NYPD) is heavily deployed on the roads near Times Square in Manhattan, New York. Following the surprise attack on Israel by the Palestinian armed group Hamas on the 8th, physical clashes between supporters of both sides were confirmed at Times Square.

In New York, known as a ‘melting pot’ of races, tensions have been rising daily as voices supporting both sides have clashed since Hamas’s surprise attack. Especially after physical clashes between supporters of both sides occurred in Times Square on the 8th, concerns about violence and hate crimes have increased significantly. Incidents targeting both sides have already been confirmed in areas such as southern Brooklyn, where many Jewish and Arab residents live.

On the night of the 12th, videos projecting phrases such as "Hamas is ISIS" and "More than 100 people are held hostage by Hamas" were displayed on the walls of the United Nations headquarters building in Manhattan and buildings in the Upper West Side. These messages condemned Hamas as terrorists for attacking civilians and taking hostages. Earlier, New York Governor Kathy Hochul described pro-Palestinian groups as "hateful and morally repugnant." Meanwhile, Palestinian Americans expressed sorrow for those who lost their lives in the current situation but criticized the U.S. administration and Congress for ignoring the historical context and background and siding only with Israel. The New York Times (NYT) highlighted these voices, quoting a Palestinian American writer who said, "In their eyes, we are never victims but always perpetrators."

The long-standing conflict and hatred between the two sides are matched by a far more complex actual history. In the nearly 80-year Israel-Palestine conflict, Western powers themselves cannot be absolved of guilt. Yuval Harari, an Israeli historian well known for works such as ‘Sapiens,’ stated in a column shortly after the incident that "Israel and Palestine are facing the most dangerous moment since 1948." He argued that intervention by external forces seeking peace is necessary to prevent further escalation. This includes condemning atrocities, preventing Hezbollah and Iran’s involvement, and demilitarizing the Gaza Strip. However, he also assessed that the likelihood of these measures being realized is slim.

As bloodshed and hatred accumulate once again, peace grows more distant. However, one thing is clear: whether Hamas or Israel, there can be no justification for killing civilians.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.