Tulane University, located in New Orleans, is facing increased tensions on campus amidst the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The situation has sparked protests, violence, and divisive discussions among students, raising concerns about the campus climate and the ability to navigate difficult conversations.

The turmoil began when students gathered near the campus to show support for Palestinians in the conflict. Hannah Levitan, a senior and student reporter, described the rally as a significant event that will be talked about for months and possibly years to come. However, what started as a peaceful gathering quickly turned heated and violent, marking a turning point for both the campus and the student reporters of The Tulane Hullabaloo.

The recent Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza have heightened tensions on college campuses across the United States, including Tulane. Demonstrations, backlash, and even instances of violence have been reported in cities like New York City, Cambridge, and Ann Arbor. Several college leaders, including presidents of prestigious institutions like Harvard University, MIT, and the University of Pennsylvania, have also faced criticism for their testimony on antisemitism in front of Capitol Hill.

At Tulane University, around a third of students identify as Jewish, as per the university's Hillel chapter. Levitan herself is Jewish and emphasized that the campus is often referred to as "Jewlane." The university does not track the number of students from other religious backgrounds, including those who identify as Muslim. Nonetheless, the divide among students regarding the conflict and their political beliefs has become evident.

According to Lindsay Ruhl, The Hullabaloo's breaking news editor, the Tulane community initially showed unity and grief following the Hamas attack on Israel. However, as Israel launched its air and ground campaign in Gaza, tensions grew, resulting in a fractured campus. Levitan recounted how the rally that took place in October, initially peaceful, became contentious as counter-protestors gathered and exchanged insults.

The aftermath of the rally included reported assaults on three students and several arrests, none of whom were Tulane students. Furthermore, the night before the rally, a student was arrested for spray-painting the phrase "from the river to the sea" on a building near the library, an act seen as deeply distressing by university officials. In response, Tulane has increased security measures, even though the rally technically occurred off-campus. The university is now under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education for possible "discrimination involving shared ancestry."

Ruhl admitted that some of her friends, regardless of their feelings, were scared to attend class after these incidents, with concerned parents even texting them. The emotional impact of the events was also felt by Levitan and Ruhl during their interviews with individuals from both sides of the protest. They decided to create a podcast called "Breaking Waves" to highlight the diverse opinions and emotions surrounding the conflict.

However, tensions have spilled over to the journalists themselves. Ruhl expressed frustration at the fact that some classmates saw her differently after her coverage of the pro-Palestinian demonstration. She explained that as an impartial journalist, she was charged with writing about both sides, but some individuals struggled to separate her role from her personal beliefs.

Levitan pointed out that social media exacerbates the problem, creating echo chambers where misinformation is presented as news. She urged students to remain open-minded and engage in dialogue with those holding different viewpoints. Levitan and Ruhl believe that The Hullabaloo and Tulane University have an opportunity to bring students together to listen and learn from each other, emphasizing the importance of seizing this chance to foster understanding and unity.

As tensions continue to rise on the Tulane University campus, it remains to be seen how the community will address and navigate the complex Israeli-Palestinian conflict as it unfolds on campus.