Supporters of both Israel and the Palestinians engaged in tense confrontations on Monday at Columbia University in New York City. A 24-year-old Israeli student was assaulted with a stick outside the university’s main library, further escalating tensions on campus due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The incident took place at around 6:10 p.m. on Wednesday, prompting a response from the New York City Police Department (NYPD). According to the NYPD, the victim was involved in an argument with a 19-year-old individual named Maxwell Freidman from Brooklyn. The argument stemmed from flyers that the victim and his friends had posted, featuring names and pictures of Israeli hostages captured by Hamas.
The victim, who requested to be identified only by his initials “I.A.” for safety reasons, stated that he approached Freidman after seeing her tearing down the flyers. The confrontation turned violent, with Freidman allegedly charging at I.A. with a stick and attempting to punch him. During the scuffle, I.A. sustained injuries, including a broken ring finger and bruises on one hand. Concerned for his safety, I.A. expressed hesitation about returning to campus in the near future. The incident has left him and his friends shocked and unsettled, as they consider Columbia University to be a safe space.
Freidman was subsequently arrested and charged with assault. Columbia University has not yet commented on the incident. The clash at Columbia reflects a broader trend of heightened tensions across university campuses in the United States amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. Similar incidents and confrontations have occurred at other universities, with student groups expressing support for the Palestinian cause and criticizing Israel’s actions.
Chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine at various universities, including the University of California, Berkeley, and George Washington University, have released statements expressing solidarity with the Palestinians and denouncing Israel as the victim. These groups argue that Israel’s framing as a victim overlooks the decades of oppression and ethnic cleansing suffered by the Palestinian people. They voice support for the Palestinian resistance and the liberation movement.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in the deaths of over 1,900 people, with many more injured and held hostage by Hamas. As tensions continue to rise, universities like Columbia face the challenge of maintaining a safe environment for all students while navigating the complexities of political discourse and differing perspectives on the conflict.
