"I'm Frightened Of My Peers" | Debate On Anti-Israel Student Protests
Summary
TLDRThe White House has denounced what it perceives as blatantly anti-Semitic statements made during student protests against the war in Gaza. Demonstrations at Columbia University and elsewhere have led to arrests and heightened tensions, with some Jewish students advised to stay home as classes move online. The protests have sparked a debate over free speech, with critics arguing that criticism of Israel is being conflated with hatred of Jews. Participants in the discussion include the editor of the Yale Free Press, Sahar Tatak, who was assaulted during a protest; Arab Israeli journalist Yousef Hadad, who was also attacked; and Vaj Ali, author and host of 'Breaking Points'. The conversation addresses the complexity of the situation, with some arguing that the protests are multi-faith and multi-racial movements for peace, while others express concern over the presence of violent rhetoric and the safety of Jewish students.
Takeaways
- 🏛️ The White House has condemned what it perceives as anti-Semitic statements made during student protests against the war in Gaza.
- 🚨 Jewish students at Columbia University were warned to stay home as classes moved online due to the protests, and some pro-Palestinian protesters were suspended.
- 🤔 Critics argue that the situation is a free speech issue, where criticism of Israel is being conflated with hatred of Jews.
- 👥 The discussion included a variety of perspectives, including the editor of the Yale Free Press, an Arab Israeli journalist, and the host of 'Breaking Points'.
- 👁️ Sahar Tatak, the editor of the Yale Free Press, was assaulted with a Palestinian flag during a protest, highlighting the personal risks involved.
- 🗣️ There is a debate over whether the majority of protesters are peaceful or if the actions of a few are influencing the narrative of the protests.
- 🕊️ Vaj Ali emphasized the importance of not weaponizing anti-Semitism or Islamophobia and called for peace and security for all communities.
- 🤬 Yousef Hadad, an Arab Israeli journalist, shared his experience of being verbally assaulted and physically attacked at a protest, reflecting the tensions.
- 📢 Some protesters are accused of using violent rhetoric, such as chanting 'From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free,' which is seen as a threat to Israel's existence.
- 🚨 There are concerns about the safety of Jewish students on campus, with some being advised by religious leaders to stay home due to the hostile environment.
- 🤝 Calls for unity against anti-Semitism and Islamophobia were made, with an emphasis on the need for a ceasefire and the release of hostages as part of the path to peace.
Q & A
What was the White House's response to the anti-Semitic statements made at student protests against the war in Gaza?
-The White House condemned the anti-Semitic statements, calling them blatantly anti-Semitic.
What happened at the protests at Columbia University?
-The protests at Columbia University lasted for six days, leading to arrests and warnings for Jewish students to stay home as classes moved online. Some pro-Palestinian protesters were suspended.
How did Sahar, the editor of the Yale Free Press, describe her experience at the anti-Semitic campus rally?
-Sahar described being identified as the 'enemy' by protest organizers, being blockaded, taunted, and physically assaulted with a Palestinian flag that jabbed her in the eye, leading to a hospital visit.
What was the reaction of the Arab Israeli journalist Yousef Hadad when he was assaulted at a protest?
-Yousef Hadad expressed his determination to continue revealing the truth about the situation in Israel, despite the assault, and sought justice through the Lawfare Project.
What was the stance of Vaj Ali, the host of Breaking Points, on the protests and the rhetoric used?
-Vaj Ali emphasized the importance of free speech but condemned the use of rhetoric that terrorizes Jewish students. He also highlighted the rise in anti-Semitism and Islamophobia due to the conflict.
How did the discussion differentiate between criticism of Israel and anti-Semitic sentiments?
-The discussion pointed out that while criticism of Israel's actions can be valid, it should not be conflated with hatred of Jews. The panelists condemned the use of anti-Semitic rhetoric during the protests.
What was the argument made by the participants regarding the safety of Jewish students during the protests?
-The argument was that Jewish students did not feel safe during the protests due to the anti-Semitic chants and threats, creating an environment of hostility and potential violence.
What was the position of the panelists on the use of the term 'Intifada' during the protests?
-The term 'Intifada' was contentious, with some panelists arguing that it implies a call for violence and the death of Jews, while others claimed it represents a call for uprising or resistance against oppression.
How did the panelists respond to the accusation that they were supporting terrorism by Hamas?
-The panelists denied supporting terrorism, with some emphasizing the distinction between supporting the cause of the Palestinian people and endorsing the violent actions of Hamas.
What was the consensus on the need for empathy and understanding among the panelists?
-There was a call for empathy towards both Israelis and Palestinians, with a recognition of the suffering on both sides and a shared desire for peace and an end to violence.
What steps were suggested to ensure the safety of Jewish students during campus protests?
-Suggestions included increased security measures, direct protection from universities, and ensuring that law enforcement is present to prevent and respond to incidents of violence.
Outlines
🏛️ Anti-Semitic Tensions Rise at University Protests
The White House has criticized what it perceives as anti-Semitic statements made during student protests against the war in Gaza. The demonstrations at Columbia University continued for six days, leading to arrests at other colleges including Yale. Jewish students at Columbia were advised to stay home as classes moved online. Some Pro-Palestinian and Pro-Israel protesters were suspended, sparking a debate on free speech and the conflation of criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism. The discussion included Sahar Tatak, editor of the Yale Free Press, who was assaulted during a protest, and Yousef Hadad, an Arab Israeli journalist who was attacked at a Columbia University protest. Both shared their experiences, highlighting the tension and perceived threats to Jewish students amidst the protests.
🗣️ Free Speech vs. Hate Rhetoric on Campus
Vaj Ali, the host of 'Breaking Points', argues that while free speech is fundamental, it should not be used as a cover for threatening Jewish students. He condemns the rise in anti-Semitism and Islamophobia resulting from the conflict, leading to harassment and violence. Ali emphasizes the need for empathy for both Israelis and Palestinians and criticizes the weaponization of anti-Semitism to suppress dissent. Yousef Hadad shares his experience of being assaulted at a protest, highlighting the gap between the portrayed conflict and the reality in Israel. He calls for justice and accountability for his attacker, stressing the importance of truth and reality in the discourse.
🤝 Empathy and Protest: The Complexities of the Israel-Palestine Conflict
The discussion moves to the broader implications of the protests, with a focus on the empathy for the suffering of both Israelis and Palestinians. Ali emphasizes the need for peace and criticizes those who exploit anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. He also addresses the high number of casualties and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The conversation touches on the differing narratives around the conflict, with accusations of Hamas using civilians as shields and the Israeli government's actions being labeled as collective punishment. The panelists debate the portrayal of Hamas and the Israeli government as villains, with contentious arguments about the truth of the situation on the ground.
🚨 Safety Concerns and the Impact on Jewish Students
Saha describes the hostile environment faced by Jewish students during the protests, detailing personal experiences of being taunted and physically assaulted. The conversation addresses the broader concern of safety for Jewish students on campus, with a Rabbi's recommendation for Jewish students to stay home due to the inability of authorities to guarantee their safety. Despite this, campus organizations and Jewish students express their commitment to remaining and participating in protests, asserting their right to be part of the movement against perceived injustices.
🌐 Media Representation and the Weaponization of Words
The panelists discuss the role of media in shaping perceptions of the conflict and the protests. They argue about the accuracy of media portrayals and the importance of allowing journalists unrestricted access to areas of conflict. The conversation also touches on the weaponization of certain words and phrases, such as 'intifada' and 'martyrs', and the potential for misinterpretation when cultural and linguistic nuances are not considered. The discussion underscores the complexity of the situation and the need for careful, nuanced reporting.
📢 Chants of 'Intifada' and the Call for a Free Palestine
The conversation focuses on the use of the term 'intifada' during protests and its implications for Jewish students who may interpret it as a threat. There is a debate about whether the chants support terrorism and whether they represent the views of the majority of protesters. The panelists also discuss the role of Jewish students within the protests, questioning whether their presence indicates support for the rhetoric used. The discussion highlights the differing perspectives on the protests and the urgency for a resolution that addresses the concerns of all parties.
🕍 The Future of Protests and the Search for Safety
In the final paragraph, the discussion concludes with a focus on the future actions of Jewish students in the face of ongoing protests and the search for personal safety. Saha, a Jewish student, expresses uncertainty about their next steps due to the lack of protection from the university and the organized nature of the protests. The conversation ends with a call for a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and a condemnation of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, emphasizing the need for a just and peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Anti-Semitism
💡Protests
💡Free Speech
💡Genocide
💡Intifada
💡Human Blockade
💡Palestinian Flag
💡Campus Safety
💡Weaponization of Anti-Semitism
💡Multifaith and Multi-racial Movement
💡Collective Punishment
Highlights
The White House has condemned anti-Semitic statements at student protests against the war in Gaza.
Demonstrations at Columbia University lasted for six days, leading to arrests at other major colleges including Yale.
Jewish students at Columbia were warned to go home as classes moved online, and some pro-Palestinian protesters were suspended.
Critics argue the situation is a free speech issue, with some saying criticism of Israel is being conflated with hatred of Jews.
Sahar Tatak, editor of the Yale Free Press, recounts being singled out and blockaded at an anti-Semitic campus rally, leading to an assault.
Yousef Hadad, an Arab Israeli journalist, shares his experience of being assaulted at a protest at Columbia University.
Vaj Ali, host of 'Breaking Points', discusses the rise in anti-Semitism and Islamophobia due to the war, and the importance of peaceful protest.
There is a debate on whether the protests are overwhelmingly peaceful or if there is a significant violent and anti-Semitic element.
Some argue that the protests are conflating the Israeli government's actions with hatred towards all Jewish people.
Reports indicate a majority of protesters are peaceful, with a small number involving in violent or threatening rhetoric.
The State of Israel has labeled the protesters as terrorists, which some guests on the panel dispute.
A rabbi at Columbia University advised Jewish students to stay home due to safety concerns, a move contested by campus groups.
The discussion highlights the complexity of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the differing perspectives on what constitutes support or opposition to violence.
The panelists express concern over the weaponization of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia to suppress or redirect peaceful protests.
There is a call for empathy towards the suffering on both sides of the conflict and a need for a multifaith and multi-racial movement for peace.
The conversation emphasizes the need for justice and accountability for those who incite violence or engage in anti-Semitic acts during protests.
The panel concludes with a recognition of the passionate and polarized views surrounding the protests and the conflict as a whole.
Transcripts
the White House has condemned what it
calls blatantly anti-semitic statements
at student protests against the war in
Gaza fract demonstrations at Columbia
University of New York who rumbled on
for six days while arrests have been
made at other major colleges including
Yale Jewish students at Colombia have
been warned to go home with classes
moved online some Pro Palestine Pro
protesters have been suspended critics
say this is a free speech issue
conflating criticism of Israel with
hatred of Jews others say it's simply
unacceptable that Jewish students do not
feel safe I discuss all this are the
editor of the Yale Free Press Sahar
tatak who was jabbed in the eye with a
Palestinian flag by a protester the Arab
Israeli journalist Yousef Hadad who was
assaulted at a protest at Columbia
University the host of breaking points
crystal ball and author of go back to
where you come from vajat Ali well
welcome to all of you and let me start
with you if I may uh
Saha tell me exactly what happened to
you sure so I went to to a large
anti-semitic campus rally on Saturday
night to document the protest with
another visibly Jewish friend he wears a
black hat and seat seit which are ritual
fringes and has a beard and I dress in
ritually modest clothing and wear a
starve David and we were immediately
identified by protest organizers as I
guess the enemy and so they blockaded Us
by creating a human blockade as in stand
standing in a line with their arms
linked in front of us and eventually
Nile and I were separated and so each of
us were assigned separate human
blockades made of protest organizers
that taunted us and waved flashlights in
our face and as the other 500
anti-semitic students at the rally
noticed us and identified us they joined
in on the taunting and so I was
encircled by 500 students who were
singing and dancing against the Jewish
people in a circle around this Plaza at
Yale basically the Central Plaza on our
campus and as they taunted me and waved
their middle finger in my face and waved
their cias in my face one of them took
his Palestinian flag waved it in my face
and then jabbed me in the left eye and
you ended up going to hospital for
treatment for
this I did so first I tried to run after
the as salent it was extremely
disorienting and the human blockade
continued to stand in front of me to
prevent me from holding the student
accountable and to protect the student
from receiving consequences for
assaulting me and so then I went to the
police who called an ambulance the EMT
checked me out and then the EMT said we
should take you to the hospital and so I
went to the hospital okay and we've got
a little clip I think it's not actually
of you getting hit with the uh by the
the flag it's just of the general melee
let's take a look at this
this is the blockade that um was going
on at the time there's no sound with
this uh clip but it it shows a little
sense of what was happening how scared
were you about what was happening and in
response to those who say that the vast
majority of protesters are not
anti-semitic and are simply protesting
about the Israeli government's uh
response to the herass Terror attacks uh
which they believe is massive massively
disproportionate what do you say to
that so with the question of how I was
feeling I think can also answer the
second question the reason I felt so
unsafe is because I know that these
students want me dead and I know that
they know who I am and how do I know
this because they shout on
mass there is only one solution into F
Revolution at these rallies they shout
about Martyrs they shout about
resistance is Justified I mean after
October 7th I saw hundreds of peers
people from my classes shouting
resistance is Justified and celebrating
the resistance's success is something
that many of them posted on social media
so with this in mind of course I feel
unsafe because I know that they support
genocide against the Jewish people by
terrorist organization organizations
such as Hamas but not only by Hamas
there's another picture at this rally
and the rally has become a multi-day
event which included an encampment like
a set of 40 or so tents taking over
campus and one of the posters at this
rally is a poster of wed Dhaka who with
he led a pflp group to mutilate and
murder a 19-year-old Israeli Jew okay
let's bring in vaj Ali vaj this is very
disconcerting seeing these
on college campuses in America you know
I'm all for free speech it's the Bedrock
of peers Morgan onent is what we're all
about but free speech should not involve
Jewish students being terrorized with
this kind of rhetoric which you know it
we've seen and heard it all with our own
eyes and ears that there are people
involved in these protests who are
chanting things which would present a
real threat and danger to Jewish
students it's acceptable isn't
it it is unacceptable and first of all I
would say happy Passover to all Jewish
cousins around the world who are
celebrating hopefully there's peace and
security for all our communities I'll
also say like I said on your show before
there's been a stunning spike in
anti-Semitism and islamophobia as a
result of this war which has resulted in
harassment uh threats doxing and in the
case of three Palestinian students there
were shot one is paralyzed and a
six-year-old Palestinian boy wadia was
killed his mother was stabbed in this
particular case right now I feel really
bad for our two guests uh who were
subject to violence uh who I'm sure are
traumatized I'm grateful that no one has
any permanent damage or injury and I
would hope that we can all agree here
that anti-Semitism islamophobia is a
problem has no place in these protests
but we can also agree that we could have
empathy for why people are protesting
overwhelming majority of them by the way
are peaceful according to law
enforcement according to actual
reporters on the ground who are not
anti-Semitic and many of these
protesters by the way are Jewish and why
are they protesting peers because
they're protesting what they consider to
be genocide some do and the Israel
killing 34,000 Palestinians you're
absolutely attached from reality I'm I
don't know what
you're you said I'll come to you in just
let me finish not what it is I'm sorry
lie to the viewers you said let him make
his point be honest I will come to you
to respond in a moment let him finish
his point just I'm about to finish I'm
about to finish uh what are people
protesting including Jews Jewish
students they're protesting Israel's
response to 12200 people being killed by
Hamas so we should have empathy for
Israelis and the 1200 people and their
families being killed and the 34,000
Palestinians who have been killed the
70,000 Palestinians who have been
injured 1 million people have been
displaced and also as we have seen we
can have empathy because there are kids
who are amputated kids who have lost
their eyes their limbs
we have seen starvation now famine and
this is why there's a growing pier
multifaith and multi-racial movement for
peace and I think all of us should also
be very wor wary very wary of people who
are weaponizing
anti-Semitism people who are weaponizing
anti-Semitism to crush this crush this
descent especially people like Elise
stefanic a republican who promotes
anti-semitic conspiracy theories like
the replacement Theory and says nothing
about Donald Trump who DED with the
leading white National an anti-semite
Nick FES and just today in the morning
again repeated the anti-semitic
conspiracy of a Soros Witch Hunt so
let's all agree that anti-Semitism
should not be weaponized Jews and
Muslims should not be weaponized and
used against each other and that
anti-Semitism and
islamophobia goity peaceful protest I
want to go to youf youf Hadad to remind
viewers you're an Arab Israeli
journalist you assaulted at a protest at
Columbia University on Thursday we have
got a clip showing a little of this
incident K commit suicide commit suicide
run traffic jump off a
building you can do whatever the I'm not
going anywhere I will keep reveal the
truth about all of you why you so
close so we we see you clearly there
being uh being struck by one of these
protesters uh but you're getting very
insens by what you're hearing from vaj
so what do you want to
say look first of all you can see
exactly who are the peaceful protest
they are they are they want freedom of
speech when it only come to one side but
if it's our freedom of speech to for me
to come as an Arab who lives in Israel
to show the reality about our life in
Israel now yes Israel is far from being
perfect just like any other country in
the world but between what they are
telling and how they are presenting this
conflict to the reality in Israel
there's a huge gap which I cannot cannot
agree to now when I go and I was
supposed to have a lecture at Colombia
University that's why I was there and
then I see this protest where they
chanting from The River To The Sea
Palestine will be free by the way in
Arabic it sounds different in Arabic it
says
from from The River To The Sea Palestine
is an Arab so it even further than that
shows their idea on the fact that there
is no room for the state of Israel the
only true democracy in the Middle East
add to that that exactly the chant of
intifada I know what intifada mean as an
Arab I know what antifa mean not just as
a right translation of violent Uprising
antifa means the more death of Jews the
more death of Arabs that's what in means
and they're chanting for that and when I
ask why you're chanting for this it will
will lead to more death in the land of
Israel it will lead more death in Gaza
in the West Bank and they say to me well
this is what we want of course that's
what they want they eventually at the
end of that Rally or that end of that
demonstration they go back they go there
to their pop they drink their beer or
they do whatever they want they live in
a democracy they're not the one that
suffer consequences in the Middle East
they're just doing all this from here
very convenient but you know something
that I found it very very unbelievable
uh you know all the time talking about
the majority of course there are
peaceful people there are also people
who are locals who are being brainwashed
and don't realize what they're chanting
and don't even know which river to which
sea and what ises in mean but the there
are many protesters who are violent
protesters just see how you you uh
described me and how did you did you say
my name with the fact that I was
attacked you will never see someone from
the Palestinian side says that he was
attacked by a Jewish or a pro-israeli
demonstrator this is the thing that
people are try always to take it for
islamophobia to take it for
anti-Semitism this is something very
simple you have their group of people
supporting terrorism and instead of the
other group who are peacefully
protesting coming against them and say
that they are not part of us they are
protecting them they are trying to do
absolutely everything to defend them
look at my attacker through the whole
entire demonstration he was without any
cover the second he decided to attack me
he covered his face why what did he
decide to go face because he knows that
he is going to attack me because he
cannot handle the truth and he cannot
handle it especially when it comes from
someone who's an Arab who lives in there
and knows exactly the reality so don't
let anybody fool fool anybody these are
dangerous protesters and the more the
NYPD suffer that or tolerate that
they're going to keep being more extreme
and they're going to be physically more
attacking there were cups over there and
it did not stop him from attack me cups
Just 3 MERS from me I mean how can we
even agree to something like that so I'm
seeking for justice and I've asked and
I've asked I've already appointed aord
through the uh uh uh lawfare project uh
to seek for justice we know the identity
of the attacker and we should be we
should see him in jail and we should
seek for justice as soon as possible in
order to prevent them for trying
something like this again and again
against other people okay I want to
bring in uh Crystal you replied on X to
the White House statement about the
protests at Colombia uh by saying they
are more upset about college students
protesting and genocide than a
population of millions being after death
um I mean I can listen I believe
fundamentally in the right to free
Democratic protest I mean it's the
Bedrock of any free Democratic country
but I don't believe in violent hate
retoric and if you're a Jewish student
at one of these colleges hearing some of
these chants which we're all hearing uh
it's pretty terrifying isn't
it well here's what I would say first of
all I echo wajad in saying I'm glad that
that both of our two co- panelists are
um okay and I certainly support the call
for justice for uh ysf and I hope his as
salent is in fact apprehended and
accountability is Meed out I think it's
disgusting and frankly a cheap trick to
use some isolated incidents to smear an
entire protest movement and I think it's
very clear what's going on here you know
a majority of young people and a
majority of college students majority of
Biden voters believe that Israel is
committing a genocide and that American
taxpayer dollars are going to assist in
that genocide they're outraged by that
and they're protesting and by the way
they protects Jews and Arabs you are
clearly lying again and
again protects Arabs and Jews am I going
to am I going to be allowed to speak
here okay so a majority of young speak
over Israel is committing a genocide and
they are protesting that and by the way
they've won the argument if you look at
now it's 6040 against sending military
aid to Israel it's a majority that
disapprove in America of Israel's action
with regards to the Gaza Strip so it's a
cheap trick As Old As Time use a few
isolated incidents to try to smear an
entire movement which has the benefit
number one of attempting to delegitimize
it and number two of distracting from
the continued atrocities which are
unfolding holding at the hands of the
IDF in the Gaza Strip we just had
multiple attacks on Rafa 22 people
killed including 18 children we just had
another Mass grave discovered outside of
a hospital in conun but rather than
talking about that we're talking about a
few you know at a protest yeah
guess what exist I lament that
as much as the next person but I don't
remember this level of condemnation when
it came to people with actual power
saying hey we should Josh Holly let's
bounce the rubble in Gaza Lindsey Graham
let's level the place Max Miller we're
going to turn that into a parking lot
and on and on and on so this is listen I
condemn anti-Semitism I certainly
condemn
violence but let's be serious about who
the villains are right now would you
agree that Hamas are villains the
villains are the organization Hamas hang
on I'm ask a question would you agree of
course that Hamas are villains
terrorists and so is the Israeli
government given the number of civilians
that they have intentionally targeted
and killed including targeting with a
Complete Siege which has triggered a
famine in Northern Gaza and caused
children to literally starve to death
it's Collective punishment there's just
no denying it okay um so let me bring
you back this is absolutely lies Spirit
but you cannot this is absolutely lies
it's a lie on a line it's a narrative
that was adopted by the terrorist
organization Hamas this is what they
want I'm telling you I I'm I'm I'm
speaking to Palestinians and Gaza I
don't know if uh if any of the people in
this panel have a direct contact with
Palestinians in Gaza I have many friends
there and I speak to them and I also
shared many videos of Palestinians who
are calling the fact that Hamas are the
one who responsible the Hamas hiding
among among them and hiding under the
the ground like cowards and it was Hamas
who uses the hospitals and Hamas that
uses mosks and also churches as bar
Terror base there the Palestinians
saying that and then you have some
Americans come and say otherwise and
talking about the the fine in in Gaza
tons of Aid was entered to Israel
through Egypt from also the uee from
also Jordan tons of eight they are
talking about showing how they are
having food but those pictures you will
not see you will not see them not in
even in in in CNN or any other media
because you don't want to adopt this n
May jump in no no hang on one of the
reasons that we're not seeing what
you're describing is because the IDF
won't let journalists go in and see
what's going on so that is part of the
problem but there can be no doubt
there's a massive humanitarian crisis
there all all that people are starving
to death there's enough Tik Tok videos
well if the IDF has nothing to hi wait a
second don't talk over each other
Palestinians themselves you if the IDF
has nothing to hide there's videos if
the IDF has nothing to hide let the
media have complete Free Run let them
see it for themselves they won't they
won't and as far and as far as I concern
as as far as I concerned they should be
allowed all I'm saying is that you can
go to Tik Tok on the Arab social media
and you will see the Palestinian
themselves uploading it okay you don't
have of the I would rather I would
rather see the media have access to
check what he actually but I want to
bring I want to
bring for keep talking is a war zone
because of Hamas
I I want to bring in Saha as I said
earlier sah you've had it categorized
that there just a few people in these
crowds who are uh chanting the bad stuff
um and yet you have said that you know
Jewish students feel very threatened I
mean how many people are you here
using these chants which are clear
threats right
so it's a good question it's it's just
not a few people I have seen hundreds of
students that I have classes with after
October 7th we're talking October 9th
chanting when people are occupied
resistance is Justified in direct
reference to the atrocities of October
7th and let's remember that we're
talking about Kamas coming into people's
houses and amputating mothers in front
of to their children and gouging out
father's eyes and that in the eyes of
hundreds of my peers is Justified and
the and just this weekend we're talking
about hundreds of my peers shouting
there is only one solution inata
Revolution inata is a call to genocide
against Jewish people this does not
represent a minority and the protest
organizers that were human blockading me
are at the Forefront of their movement
so it's not random unaffiliated people
that are creating this unsafe
environment it's actually the students
that identified me immediately are
running these rallies and decided that
they were going to taunt and blockade me
and restrict my freedom of movement and
then cause the other 500 people in the
rally to behave towards me with
hostility and violence they all passed
by me there's a video on my Twitter of
students Passing By Me In A Circle as
they encircled me and they all one after
the other taunted me it was not just
like one of them taunted me they all
taunted me one after the other waving
things in my face and then this
culminated in a physical assault okay V
let me let me just say that I just think
there's a conflation going on here by a
number of these protests I don't know
how many because I haven't seen them
physically myself um but I'm hearing
it's it's a significant number that they
seem to be conflating what the Israeli
government is doing as a political
decision which is to wage this war on
Hamas and the way they're waging it with
Jewish people generally uh and that and
when you start using rhetoric which
threatens the lives of Jewish people
surely we can all agree that's
completely unacceptable can't
we absolutely and I'm glad you said that
what you're hearing what you're hearing
right so actually people on the ground
right reporters on the ground
journalists on the ground are saying
that these are peaceful protests they
not Witnesses and on the ground a lot of
the protesters about a third of the
protesters are Jewish and we are seeing
Jewish Americans posting videos on Tik
Tok like Ahmed said what are you talking
about look at the muslims praying we're
going to celebrate Shabbat it's a
multifaith and multi-racial movement
against what they consider to be a
genocide they want peace they
want if they're chanting about if
they're chanting about in then they are
chanting threats of genocide against the
very people people they claim are waging
a
genocide are you are you suggesting that
the Jewish students who are with these
protesters are actually for their own
genocide do you agree with the state of
Israel that yesterday tweeted that
they're terrorists the state of Israel
yesterday said that American students a
multi-racial multifaith coalition across
this country that is overwhelmingly
peacefully protesting according to the
Jewish students themselves according to
law enforcement and according to the
media do you consider them to be
terrorists I do not I
think chanting about inter well I think
if you're chanting about in and I've
seen others talking proudly about
backing Hamas then yeah you're
supporting terrorism who who who who is
supporting Hamas there's a few people
isolated incidents and yesterday
everyone should be take solace in this
that yesterday the students organizing
the protest in
colia can you just let me finish
yesterday this will make you yesterday
answer answer the question the not one
person two it's the whole
student
yesterday just let me finish yesterday
when it all came out these four or five
videos that came out gu who condemned
them in full the protesters and then
they said they're not part of the
protest they're outside the school and
then the Jews inside the protest
movement are sending you videos saying
that this does not represent us so I for
one think that we should put the focus
what are people saying reality they are
against an ongoing Collective punishment
against Palestinians that has killed
over 34,000 people thanks to direct and
support money from the United States
they
want they want peace and they went the
end of an occupation I would think
everyone here who believes in Justice
and peace will be against an occupation
and against a war that has been an utter
failure for the past seven months that
has brought no security Israelis or
Palestinians why do you not join me in
Crystal in saying an anti- antisemitism
anti-islamophobia and for a ceasefire
and the release of hostages do you agree
that these protesters that include with
you that we need to release all the
hostages Israel tweeted that and only
you after you release the the all the
hostages we can talk about ceasefire by
the way but Israel that these protesters
are terrorists I really I really I
really really find it very very amusing
that you are saying that they are
peaceful protesters while they chanting
in in either you am students or you are
lying or you are so brainwashed that you
cannot even see the truth in front of
your
eyes the more of death of Jews and Arabs
so when you chant like this with the
whole group chanting like this that is
the CH you agree that they should
not as they
do you agree that they shouldn't
chant are you agreeing that they
shouldn't chant from The River To The
Sea Palestine will be free because that
means the demolish of the state of
Israel do you agree that anybody who
wears a symb
of chance let me bring let me bring in
Crystal Crystal okay so first of all
inata means Uprising from The River To
The Sea somehow when it's you know
Benjamin Netanyahu using that uh
phraseology or holding up a map that
literally shows Israel from The River To
The
Sea right question can you please dude
just for a second what do you mean means
uising have you
seen have you seen the second you
don't not from the Middle East suddenly
that's over the line but let me just say
listen people have a right to be
offended by
whatever do off speak that's his right
guess what she's not
even means you can respond after let us
speak unbelievable free speech is not
just about speech that is comfortable
free speech is also about speech that is
uncomfortable and yes even offensive
which is why you know uh Brian Mast who
said there's no such thing as an
innocent Palestinian civilian a member
of Congress who's in an actual position
of power or the many Israeli officials
who talked about Palestinians are human
animals no uninvolved civilians amalec
all of these things I support their
right to say it it's condemnable I think
it's very revealing I think it is
genocidal but free speech also protects
statements that you find to be
uncomfortable here's the question
Crystal for you one last one last thing
Piers okay let me just say one one last
thing I think we know that this isn't a
genuine conversation about Jewish
student safety because we see Zero
concern for the many Jewish students who
are at the F in fact at the center of
these protests somehow they're
invisibilized and your right pi to point
out your right Piers to point out that
it is anti-Semitic to conflate all Jews
with the state of Israel and with the
policies of the state of Israel I also
ask Crystal I'm not a Jew hang onf I'm
not a Jew and I'm telling you perious
I'm not a Jew I'm not a Jew and I say it
and I will say it all the time never
generalize a a group of people of course
they are part of the Jewish
christianizing genal anti not talk over
each other you just to
clarify to clarify for viewers you to
clarify for viewers you are Arab Israeli
but you're Christian is that
right correct okay so I wanted to ask I
want to ask the fact is I want to ask
Crystal one question about inter can you
tell me about an inter that wasn't a
violent Uprising during the 75 years of
this
conflict listen you can uh support the
uh nonviolent parts of an uprising and
condemn the violent parts that was my
question my question was can you can you
tell me can you tell me any in in the 75
years of this conflict that hasn't
involved a violent Uprising so that when
somebody who is Jewish hears the word in
they don't automatically think violent
Uprising because they've all been
violent I think that's fair Pi I think
that's a fair point now the first inat I
would point out was overwhelmingly
peaceful but that doesn't erase the fact
that there were violent acts that's why
I said listen if you're offended by the
rally chance that's okay it's still Free
Speech but I think to smear this entire
protest group of saying they have a
violent intent you can ask the the NYPD
uh Chief who arrested protesters at
Columbia he literally said they were all
nonviolent so I just think this is such
a clear attempt to distra distract from
what's happening in Gaza and try to
change a conversation and debate that
has been lost by those who would say
listen Israel no matter what and we're
going to support them and ship weapons
no matter what well I think I would just
say before I come to you before I come
to Yousef I would say this that uh vaj
you do keep talking about peaceful
protest but actually if you are chanting
things like inada at a bunch of Jewish
people then they are not going to see
that as a message of Peace they're going
to see that as a direct threat on their
lives so they're not that's not a
peaceful protest to
me well the thing is this people also
are terrified of the from the words
Allah abbar it means something different
even the word martyrs when it comes to
Islam means to those who were killed
this includes the children who have been
killed the women the pregnant moms who
have been killed the 34,000 people have
been killed we've seen the weaponization
of islamophobia where certain words are
deliberately mistranslated and
misinterpreted and we've also seen again
the overwhelming majority of these
protesters are not saying these things
we have videos of them they include Jews
they include black people white people
Christians Muslim and meanwhile Israel
calls them absolutely terrorist isra
call them terrorist by the way please
let me finish I know you're on the
losing side of the argument because
you're I have no idea if you were at
columia demonstration outside the colia
university they were shouting
they were calling me to commit suicide
they attacked me physically and verbally
don't lie it wasn't one or two or three
it was a large group of people and what
you're trying to do is lying to the
audience and I will not
allowing not allow it don't lie I'm
the the one who was attack stoping
everybody don't try to Sugar let him
finish his point I'll come I think the
people just listen Pierce people on the
ground right you've said this before
I've heard this people on the ground
reporters from NBC who were there
reporters from CNN not anti-semites did
not hear this they overwhelmingly
peaceful Jewish neighbors Jewish faculty
members Jewish students have said this
is a m mischaracterization of Our
Community campus halel campus L the
center of student life in Columbia told
students not to leave although they said
that they want to feel safe and they
they want okay I would say back to you
say back to you hang also seen I would
say back to you that rabbi
Eli buter I think is the or buler told
students at Columbia on Sunday over
WhatsApp the events of the last few days
especially last night have made it clear
that Columbia University's Public Safety
and the NYPD cannot guarantee Jewish
student safety in the face of extreme
anti-Semitism and Anarchy it deeply
pains me to say I would strongly
recommend you return home as soon as
possible and remain home until the
reality in and around campus has
dramatically improved it's not our job
as Jews to ensure our own safety on
campus no one should have to endure his
level of hatred let alone at school
that's a rabbi at Columbia University
this is these are not just peaceloving
people spewing peaceful rhetoric there
are people in these protests who are
making very threatening chance towards
Jewish people to the extent that rabbis
are telling Jewish students to stay at
home that's a complete outrage isn't it
the and who responded and who responded
after the rabbi the campus halel and if
you know anything about Jewish American
life you should trust campus halel is
the center of Jewish life campus Hal
afterward said no Jewish students do not
go home so campus Hal should be more
trusted right now and the Jewish
students who are Again part of this
peaceful protest I want toind everyone
what happen run fight stop looking at it
as if it's not
n Unleashed against if they go home and
the police themselves said that these
peaceful extremist to expel Jews or pro-
Israelis that is the truth why want to
go canot
Sil multi multiracial
protest is the collective punishment
against let me bring all right let me
bring let okay let me bring back s hang
on hang if you talk over each other
nobody can hear either no one can hear
either of you when you shout over each
who knows exactly what they are
doing nobody will hear you when you
shout over people so sah I want to just
ask you what are you going to do
as a as a Jewish student now what will
you do in the next few days and
weeks yeah thank you for asking um God
willing this evening I'll be home and
not on campus for the holiday of
Passover and when I return to campus
I've made a serious effort to receive
direct protection from the University
and have an escort on a regular basis
but the university has in the past
failed and is continuing to not provide
me with that direct protection and so to
be really quite honest with you I don't
know what I will do because I have seen
hundreds of students organized to call
for the genocide of me and my people and
I have seen hundreds of students taunt
visibly Jewish students live and in
person at these
rallies my my peers are I'm frightened
by them to be frank and I should be
because I've been assaulted once and I
don't see why it shouldn't happen again
because it's being organized and
encouraged and protected by the rallies
themselves and by the rally organizers
themselves again when a student
assaulted Me by jabbing me in the eye
what happened afterwards was that the
human blockade of protest organizers of
student leaders in these anti-semitic
rallies that blockade stopped me from
finding out who my as salent was it's
all about violence it's all about having
a student assault another student and
then ensuring that they have immunity
because their face is covered in a CAA
and because you let them run away this
is how these protests are crafted to
create incidents of violence against
students like me and then say oh it
wasn't us it was someone unaffiliated
but we protected them but they're a
student at the University but we let
them into our rally and we let them stay
at our rally it's a method and it works
obviously okay we got to leave it there
I appreciate the passions are running
high on either side and I appreciate the
spirited debate thank you all very
much thank you thank you sh
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