In a bold statement of solidarity with Palestine, pro-Palestine demonstrators took over Hamilton Hall, an academic building on Columbia University's campus, after the university's deadline to clear the encampment passed on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. The protesters, demanding that the university divest from Israel in the midst of the Israel-Hamas war, aimed to draw attention to the plight of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Columbia University students established the "Gaza Solidarity Encampment," the first of its kind in support of Palestine on campus. Refusing to meet the university's deadline resulted in the issuance of suspension warnings to the students. The encampment occupies a significant symbolic space, as Hamilton Hall has been previously occupied in past student movements.

While this protest may be seen by some as a genuine display of concern for Palestinians, others argue that it is merely a manifestation of broader opposition to authority and a means to "rage against the machine." Accusations of selective compassion and hypocrisy have been levied against the protesters, as they seem unmoved by the suffering of Israelis or other affected parties in the conflict.

However, there are others who condemn these demonstrations as being anti-Jewish, rather than solely pro-Palestinian or anti-Israel. Instances of chanting "Gas the Jews" at demonstrations in Sydney and the display of a Hezbollah flag at an anti-Israel encampment at Princeton University have raised concerns about the underlying motivations behind some of these protests.

The ongoing protests at Columbia University echo a larger trend of social movements in recent years, such as the Black Lives Matter protests and LGBTQ+ Pride movements. These events have seen issues of social justice take center stage, with each wave evolving and building upon the previous one.

Critics of these protests argue that they are manifestations of increasing antisemitism, rather than genuine support for Palestinian rights. They fear that if these forces are successful, it could result in widespread violence and disruption beyond just the Columbia University campus.

Members of the "Students for Justice for Palestine" (SJP) organization have emerged as prominent figures in organizing these protests, with a reported presence on over 200 campuses and notable leaders such as Dr. Hatem Bazian. Some claim that SJP's aims go beyond a resolution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and instead push for radical change and the overthrowing of authority.

The sentiment driving these demonstrations can be encapsulated by the words of Hamas leader Ghazi Hamad, who has proclaimed that future attacks on Israel are inevitable, and that his people are prepared to pay the price, even with their lives.

As these demonstrations continue, it remains to be seen how universities and authorities will respond to the occupying students, and what implications these protests will have on the larger discourse surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.