[Report] New York Divided by Columbia University Anti-War Protest... Could It Become a Key Factor in the US Presidential Election?

"The crimes committed by Israel in the Gaza Strip violate international law, Jewish law, and the fundamental values of human rights. We strongly oppose Israel's Zionism (Jewish nationalism for state-building)."

"The rallies by Columbia University students and the anti-Israel protesters supporting them are nothing but acts supporting terrorists who have killed people."

On the morning of the 28th (local time), in front of Columbia University in New York, which triggered anti-war protests on American campuses, the university strictly controlled access to outsiders including the press except for the designated time from 2 to 4 p.m. From Sunday morning, two groups of protesters were confronting each other in front of the school. There were simultaneous protests condemning Israel's airstrikes on Gaza and counter-rallies criticizing anti-Semitism. A small number of protesters wrapped in Israeli flags and a dozen or so protesters dressed in Orthodox Jewish attire exchanged harsh words as soon as they faced each other and continued their rallies. However, with the New York Police Department (NYPD) deployed in various locations, no physical clashes occurred between the two sides.

New York=Photo by Kwon Haeyoung

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New York=Kwon Haeyoung, Special Correspondent

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Major American universities are suffering from anti-war protests. As the war between Israel and the Palestinian armed group Hamas prolongs, protests that began at Columbia University on the 18th have spread like wildfire beyond the East Coast to the West Coast and Washington D.C., the U.S. capital, including New York University, Yale University, and Harvard University. Although Hamas's surprise attack was the trigger for the war, the overwhelming military response by Israel, the resulting civilian casualties in Palestine, and the U.S.'s unilateral pro-Israel support policy have sparked intense anti-war protests. The catalyst was Nemath Shafik, president of Columbia University. Shafik's recent statement at a House hearing that anti-Semitism would not be tolerated on campus ignited the spark. Pro-Palestinian students reacted by setting up tents near Shafik's office and staging a surprise sit-in. Shafik requested the police to disperse the protesters, but more tents have since been erected at Columbia University, and the protests are spreading nationwide. Amid clashes between anti-Israel student protesters, university authorities, and police across campuses, hundreds of students have been arrested by the police.

David Feldman, a rabbi who attended the anti-war protest in front of Columbia University that day, said, "We are raising our voices to oppose the Gaza war and support the Palestinians." He added, "Many of the Columbia University students condemning Israel are Jewish, and I am Jewish too," emphasizing, "Criticism of crimes committed by some individual Jews like Benjamin Netanyahu against Palestinians in Gaza is by no means anti-Semitism."

New York=Photo by Kwon Haeyoung

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New York=Kwon Haeyoung, Special Correspondent

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Protesters dressed in Orthodox Jewish attire continued their rally holding placards condemning Israel. The placards bore phrases such as "The State of Israel does not represent the Jews," "Orthodox rabbis oppose Israel's Zionism," "Anti-Israel does not mean anti-Semitism," and "Freedom for Gaza and all Palestinians."

Chloe, a political science student met in front of Columbia University, said, "The anti-war protests on campus are about the human rights issues of Palestinian residents and the end of the war," adding, "I support their position."

That afternoon, near Columbia University, a car protest expressing support for Palestine continued, with a dozen or so vehicles flying Palestinian flags and honking loudly.

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On the other side, a counter-rally was held, claiming that the spreading anti-war protests on campuses and the voices supporting them only represent terrorists. Concerns are also growing that these protests could lead to threats against Jews and anti-Semitism. Ron Mizrahi, in his 60s, originally from Israel and having lived in New York for over 30 years, criticized the protesters condemning Israel, saying, "They are supporting terrorists," and "They support those who kill innocent people and the desire to kill Jews." He further claimed, "This war started with Hamas's surprise attack and the killing of Israelis."

Currently, 944,000 Jews live in New York City. As clashes between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel forces escalate due to the anti-war protests, anxiety among Jews and Muslims is also increasing. According to recent data from the New York Police Department (NYPD), as of 2024, 103 hate crimes against Jews and 10 hate crimes against Muslims have been reported. Last year, the numbers were 68 and 2 respectively, showing a sharp increase.

The spread of anti-war protests on campuses surrounding the Israel-Hamas war has emerged as a major variable in the upcoming U.S. presidential election in November. President Joe Biden criticized the protesters as anti-Semitic but also expressed a vague stance supporting freedom of expression on university campuses. With the approval ratings of President Biden and former President Donald Trump neck and neck, the U.S. administration's support for Israel is causing traditional Democratic supporters, such as Arab Americans and young people, to turn away from Biden. This is a pressing issue for President Biden, who is seeking re-election.

Some voices note that the current campus anti-war protests resemble the flow of protests during the 1968 revolution. In April 1968, hundreds of students at Columbia University were arrested by police while protesting against the Vietnam War. That year also had a U.S. presidential election, in which Democratic President Lyndon Johnson, who had decided to send troops, announced he would not run for re-election, and Republican Richard Nixon was elected.

Kim Dong-seok, head of the Korean American Voter Coalition (KAGC) in the U.S., said, "Among many young Jewish Americans, voices opposing Israel's attack on Gaza are growing," adding, "The Israel-Hamas war and anti-Semitism have emerged as major variables in the upcoming U.S. presidential election in November."

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