Anti-Israel Activists Erect Encampment on University of Michigan Campus

A pro-Palestinian protest encampment was erected on the University of Michigan campus on Monday, with activists demanding that the school divest from Israel and calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

Activist students occupied The Diag, a large open space in the middle of campus, with tents and signs, such as ones that read “NO $ FOR GENOCIDE” and “Fund our education not the occupation,” according to video and pictures captured by independent journalist Brendan Gutenschwager. Footage also showed Palestinian flags placed around the area.

The school’s TAHRIR Coalition, a group of over 90 student organizations committed to the Palestinian cause, announced it would hold a rally on The Diag Monday afternoon featuring University of Michigan professors Khaled Mattawa, Murad Idris, and Dr. Charles Davis, as well as student activists.

The University of Michigan’s “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” follows similar demonstrations at Columbia University and Yale University, both of which resulted in arrests of students who authorities say were noncompliant with law enforcement.

After warning activists to disperse or face arrest for trespassing, Yale police officers on Monday morning began arresting anti-Israel protesters, including some students, who had maintained their illegal encampment for three nights. About 40 protesters were arrested.

As the arrests were made, around 150 protesters stood with their arms interlocked and chanted, “YPD [Yale Police Department] or KKK, I don’t know, they’re all the same” and “Officer, officer, can’t you see? You’re on the wrong side of history.”

Peter Salovey, Yale’s president, sent an email to the university community on Sunday stating that the university would pursue disciplinary measures for violations of school policies.

“I am aware of reports of egregious behavior, such as intimidation and harassment, pushing those in crowds, removal of the plaza flag, and other harmful acts,” Salovey said. “Yale does not tolerate actions, including remarks, that threaten, harass, or intimidate members of the university’s Jewish, Muslim, and other communities.”

The campus unrest at these Ivy Leagues has in some cases resulted in physical injury to those involved. Current Yale student and former National Review intern Sahar Tartak wrote in the Free Press today: “I was stabbed in the eye last night on Yale University’s campus because I am a Jew.”

Pro-Palestinian protests have roiled Columbia’s campus as well. Outside Columbia late Saturday, activists openly advocated for Hamas terrorism against Israel, yelling “Burn Tel Aviv to the ground!” as well as other pro-violence slogans. On Sunday morning, the Orthodox Rabbi at Columbia/Barnard urged over 290 Jewish students to go home until the campus chaos subsides, according to a What’sApp message posted online by CNN anchor Jake Tapper.

New York City police arrested 108 anti-Israel activists at Columbia on Thursday after the university’s president asked authorities to intervene and diffuse the “Gaza Solidarity Encampment.” Dozens of protester tents occupied campus for over 24 hours, which the university deemed a safety concern and a violation of university policies.

Columbia professor Shai Davidai, who is Jewish, claimed he was barred from entering campus Monday because administrators deactivated his ID card allegedly due to their inability to guarantee his safety amid the mayhem. He was planning to participate in a “peaceful sit in at Columbia’s declared ‘liberation zone'” on Monday  to advocate for Jewish and Zionist student safety and protest against terrorism, according to a flyer he posted on X.

Faculty at the school appear to be divided about the protests. More than 50 Columbia Law School faculty members in a letter on Sunday reprimanded the university’s administration over its decision to clear students from the encampment.

“As members of the faculty of Columbia Law School, we are deeply troubled by recent events on our campus,” the letter reads. “While we as a faculty disagree about the relevant political issues and express no opinion on the merits of the protest, we are writing to urge respect for basic rule-of-law values that ought to govern our University.”