In a video that has gone viral online, a protester defaced and damaged the portrait of Lord Balfour at Trinity College, University of Cambridge in England. The incident occurred in the midst of ongoing debates over the Israel-Hamas conflict, further fueling tensions surrounding the issue.

Lord Balfour, the architect of the Balfour Declaration, played a significant role in advocating for a Jewish homeland in Palestine. The declaration was a letter written on November 2, 1917, expressing the British government's support for "the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people." It stressed the importance of safeguarding the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine.

The video, shared on Instagram by an activist group called "Palestine Action," highlighted the historic significance of the Balfour Declaration in creating a Jewish state. The group claimed that the declaration initiated the ethnic cleansing of Palestine, alleging that the British government had no right to promise away the land. They further accused the British of perpetrating violence, including arbitrary killings, arrests, torture, and sexual violence, paving the way for the displacement of Palestinians.

The activist group's Instagram page described itself as a "direct action network dismantling British complicity in Israeli apartheid." In addition to discussing the Balfour Declaration, their posts referenced American politics and accused the Democrats of not actively opposing the alleged "genocide" in Palestine.

In the United States, the Israel-Hamas war has divided the Democratic Party, leading to protests and clashes. Demonstrators confronted Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and her fiancé outside a movie theater in Brooklyn, demanding that she label Israel's offensive in Gaza as a "genocide." President Biden has also faced disruptions during his speeches by pro-Palestinian demonstrators.

Regarding the vandalized portrait, a spokesperson from Trinity College indicated that the police had been informed and expressed regret over the damage caused. They assured support for any member of the college community affected by the incident.

The incident at Trinity College serves as a reminder of the deep divisions and strong emotions associated with the Israel-Hamas conflict. As debates continue in both the UK and the US, finding a path towards peace and understanding remains a complex challenge.