Groups are calling for the expulsion of Georges Washington University students who projected messages in support of Hamas’s barbaric attack on Israel in the school library.
Messages read “Glory to our martyrs,” “Turn away now from the Zionist genocide” and “Liberate Palestine from the river to the sea,” according to the activist group StopAntisemitism.
It is the latest horrifying example of student groups across college campuses supporting terrorism.
In a message accompanying the images of the students’ horrific act, the group specifically stated: “We call on the President of George Washington University to immediately expel those involved.”
StopAntisemitism later released a video purporting to show campus police confronting the four students who made the projection. “We don’t damage any property…It’s not physically on the side of the wall,” one of the students tells an officer.
An officer explains that they will not argue with the students and tells them that they have been standing outside the library for an hour.
This is one of the shocking images projected in the school library on Tuesday evening: “Glory to our martyrs”
Another article states: “Divestment from the Zionist Genocide Now.” Students at other major universities have called on their schools to stop investing in Israel
A common Hamas slogan, “Liberate Palestine from the river to the sea,” was also projected
A police officer was shown confronting the group, but they refused to budge. The officer can be heard saying the group had been there for an hour
Ellen Granberg of George Washington University was asked to expel the affected students
The four students are seen wearing masks and refusing to move, surrounded by projection devices.
This is not the first incident to occur on the Washington, DC campus: on October 11, a group of students held a “vigil” to commemorate the “martyrs” of Hamas.
“The four students responsible for the pro-terrorist light show are now being confronted by the police.” They refuse to move and continue to argue with the police. Unbelievable,” wrote StopAntisemitism on X.
Among those reacting to the George Washington University student’s shocking act was Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, who called on school officials to “do the right thing NOW.”
“These are genocidal messages posted on a building at George Washington University.” If the students responsible for these messages are not severely punished by GWU, something is terribly wrong. Genocide is not hip, cute, or in any way acceptable. “GWU – do the right thing NOW!” wrote Lee.
After the October attacks, GWU President Ellen Granberg wrote in a letter that the school would offer support to all those affected by the violence.
“My message to our community emphasized the importance of coming together and caring for one another, especially for those who are Israeli, Jewish, Palestinian, Muslim, Arab, or connected to the region and this war,” Granberg wrote.
This is not the first incident on the Washington, D.C. campus. On October 11, a group of students held a “vigil” in memory of Hamas “martyrs.”
Earlier this year, school officials were heavily criticized for standing behind a psychology professor accused of anti-Semitism by students after a review by an outside law firm cleared her of the allegations.
The investigation was launched after a complaint was made against Professor Lara Sheehi, who allegedly told students in her diversity course that they were Islamophobic for using the term “terrorist attack.”
Israeli advocacy group StandWithUs filed the lawsuit on behalf of Jewish students who claimed Sheehi told them, “It’s not your fault that you were born in Israel” and said the presence of Jewish students was “violent.”
The university shared the findings of the company’s report, which said there was “no evidence that the discourse had crossed the line” and that StandWithUs had an “expansive view of defining anti-Semitism,” according to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency .
Earlier this year, GWU officials launched an investigation into allegations that psychology professor Lara Sheehi made anti-Semitic comments toward Jewish students
Pro-Israel students participate in a protest rally in support of Israel amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza at Columbia University in New York City on October 12
Pro-Palestine students protested at Columbia University last week
The Palestine Solidarity Committee holds banners in front of the prestigious college
Colleges across the country have released statements about the war. Many were criticized for not condemning Hamas’ attack widely enough, for failing to condemn the deaths of civilians in Gaza, or for ignoring the region’s context and history.
Earlier this month, Columbia University’s campus was forced to close for a day for security reasons as hundreds took part in pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian rallies.
Some students were upset that a statement from the university president did not go far enough to acknowledge Palestinian deaths.
At Columbia University, the campus was closed Thursday for security reasons as hundreds took part in dueling pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian rallies. Some students were upset that a statement from the university president did not go far enough to acknowledge Palestinian deaths.
At Yale University one night, messages reading “Free Palestine” were written in chalk all over campus. The following evening, some students put up “Kidnapped” posters depicting Israelis as hostages.
There was also controversy over social media posts by an American studies professor, Zareena Grewal, who wrote after the Hamas attack, “Settlers are not civilians. That’s not hard.” A petition was circulating calling for her removal; Grewal did not respond to a request for comment.
In a statement, the university said it is “committed to freedom of expression” and Grewal’s comments on personal reports “reflect her own views.”
One of the most notable recent clashes occurred at Harvard University, where the Palestine Solidarity Committee student group released a statement holding Israel “fully responsible for the unfolding violence,” which was co-signed by a few dozen other student organizations .
At least one student had their job offer withdrawn as a result of the statement.
Former Harvard President Lawrence Summers, who is Jewish, criticized the university administration for appearing “neutral at best toward acts of terrorism against the Jewish state of Israel.”
“In nearly 50 years of @Harvard affiliation, I have never been more disillusioned and alienated than I am today,” Summers said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
A day later, Harvard President Claudine Gay condemned “the terrorist atrocities committed by Hamas” and said that while students had the right to speak out, “no student group – not even 30 student groups – speaks for Harvard University or its leadership.” “.