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 orwise serene surroundings. Messages like "F–k Israel" and "Zionism = Racism" marred campus sidewalks, causing immediate concern among students and faculty.

defacement follows closely on 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 campus in a state of heightened tension.

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

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

— Sam Aberman (@samaberman)

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

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

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 y were locked inside a school library during a pro-Palestinian rally. protesters, chanting 'free, free Palestine,' created a tense atmosphere as y banged on library doors, sparking concerns for students inside.

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

— Jake Novak (@jakejakeny)

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

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

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

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

— Councilwoman Vickie Palino (@VickieforNYC)

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