Cornell University defaced with hateful anti-Israel graffiti amidst professor's leave

In a shocking incident at Cornell University's picturesque upstate New York campus, hate-filled anti-Israel graffiti appeared Wednesday morning, defacing the otherwise serene surroundings. Messages like "F–k Israel" and "Zionism = Racism" marred the campus sidewalks, causing immediate concern among students and faculty.

The defacement follows closely on the heels of controversial comments by a professor who described Hamas' October 7 terror attack on Israel as "exhilarating" and "energising." This professor, whose remarks stirred considerable campus discourse, subsequently took a leave of absence, leaving the campus in a state of heightened tension.

University workers promptly undertook the task of cleaning up the spray-painted messages, but the identity of the vandals remains unclear. The Cornell Review reported that messages like "Israel is Fascist" and "Free Palestine" were alongside more profane statements, illustrating the range and intensity of the graffiti.

Cornell University was littered with graffiti overnight. From sidewalks to trees, the beautiful Ithaca campus was desecrated with anti-Israel rhetoric. University staff are actively working to remove the spray paint. pic.twitter.com/Fg56kUzaev

— Sam Aberman (@samaberman)

The defacement occurred on Campus Road, one of the busiest sections of the university, ensuring that the hateful messages received immense visibility. Connecting the Engineering Quad and Ho Plaza, this main stretch became a canvas for the controversial expressions, adding to the gravity of the incident, reported Cornell Review.

This comes within weeks of on-campus controversy, pitting pro-Israel and pro-Palestine students and faculty against each other. The history professor, Russell Rickford, has become a focal point, with demands for his firing from pro-Israel groups and support from pro-Palestine advocates.

Jewish Students at Cooper Union ‘locked in'

In a related incident, Jewish students at a New York City college, Cooper Union, faced a distressing situation as they were locked inside a school library during a pro-Palestinian rally. The protesters, chanting 'free, free Palestine,' created a tense atmosphere as they banged on the library doors, sparking concerns for the students inside.

BREAKING NOW: my sources tell me several Jewish students @cooperunion are currently locked in the school library as a pro Hamas rally outside of the cooper Union building learnt the Jews were afraid and sitting in the library, then brought the protest inside and are barricading…

— Jake Novak (@jakejakeny)

Videos of the incident circulated on social media, capturing the unsettling scene of Jewish students attempting to study amidst the rally outside the library. The situation prompted former media director Jake Novak to share concerns about the students' safety and the alleged reluctance of the police to intervene.

Local City Councilwoman Vickie Paladino expressed her dismay over the situation, highlighting the intensity of the incident.

No big deal, just a few Jewish kids barricaded in a library while a mob tries to break the doors down to get them. At a prestigious university in New York City. In 2023. 

Things are going swimmingly in our progressive city. We are truly in the best of hands with the left… https://t.co/YvIXCvR8fv

— Councilwoman Vickie Paladino (@VickieforNYC)

Amidst conflicting narratives, city officials and school authorities offered differing accounts of the incident. While reports initially suggested that Jewish students were locked in due to fear, school officials later denied the claims, stating that the library was closed for approximately 20 minutes during student protests.