Several hundred pro-Israel protesters rallied outside Columbia University on Friday, following the university's decision to drop a demand that hundreds of protesters clear out their tent encampments. The group, waving Israeli and American flags, lined Broadway while chanting demands for the release of hostages taken in a recent terror siege by Hamas.

Earlier on Friday morning, Columbia officials backtracked on the deadline for the students to leave the encampment on the university's lawn, as negotiations with administrators and the refusal of the protesters to leave continued. The university had initially set a deadline of midnight Wednesday, which was extended before being dropped altogether in the latest update.

During the protest, attendees held up large milk cartons displaying pictures and names of the hostages still being held in the Gaza Strip. The demonstrators were joined briefly by "Squad" Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), who visited the tent setup but left through a different gate, apparently avoiding confrontation with the pro-Israel demonstrators.

Amidst the protest, a rabbi expressed his concerns about the student protesters in the encampment, questioning whether they fully understood what they were protesting against. The rabbi highlighted the constant threat of indiscriminate missile attacks faced by the people of Israel, drawing attention to the urgent need for peace and security in the region.

Various actions by the protesters were observed, including one individual spray-painting over graffiti that read "Free Palestine" with the phrase "Free hostages." Another person covered both phrases with small stickers displaying posters of the hostages. Many protesters wore shirts with slogans advocating for the release of the hostages and held signs denouncing Jew hatred.

One student, 13-year-old Ethan Friedman, emphasized the importance of showing support for the Jewish community and expressing solidarity with his people. He condemned the difficulties faced by students trying to pursue education while feeling unsafe on campus.

The demonstration on Friday was more peaceful compared to the previous night when clashes occurred at the campus gates during the United March for Israel. Reports suggest that confrontations escalated verbally, with one pro-Israel protester making inflammatory remarks, and anti-Israel protesters responding with derogatory comments and a shoving match nearly turning into a brawl.

The event, described as a "unity march of Christians and Jews" by the Columbia Jewish Alumni Association, featured music from Christian musician Sean Feuct. Students expressed fear and unease about the clashes that took place, stating that they felt more threatened outside the gates than on campus throughout the week.

The pro-Israel protest outside Columbia University highlighted the ongoing tensions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the impact it has on various communities. As negotiations between the university and the protesters continue, the hope for a peaceful resolution remains at the forefront.