Multiple student groups at the University of Michigan were seen distributing anti-Israel materials and pamphlets at a pro-Palestinian encampment on campus. One eyewitness reported that students were handing out pamphlets titled “10 anarchist theses on Palestine solidarity in the United States” which contained strong statements such as “Freedom for Palestine means Death to America.” Another pamphlet titled “The Gaza Ghetto Uprising” drew parallels to historical events and expressed support for taking Israeli hostages. The encampment, organized by student groups including Students Allied for Freedom and Equality, Jewish Voice For Peace, the Graduate Employees’ Organization, and the TAHRIR Coalition, featured a “library” of materials for students to access.
Josh Brown, a junior at the University of Michigan, documented the ongoing demonstrations on social media and witnessed the distribution of the controversial materials. He reported that the encampment remained intact despite the content of the pamphlets, which some have criticized for advocating terrorism and glorifying violence. The anti-Israel demonstrators at the encampment also targeted the university’s president, Santa Ono, with messages written in chalk stating, “ONO, YOU CAN’T HIDE.” Chants such as “Intifada! Intifada! Long live the intifada,” and “Resistance is justified, when people are occupied,” were heard at the encampment, along with calls to “smash the settler Zionist state.”
Despite the controversial nature of the materials being distributed and the chants being shouted, the University of Michigan has not responded to inquiries about the encampment or the content being shared by student groups. The pamphlets and materials at the encampment reflected a range of opinions on the Israel-Palestine conflict, with some expressing strong anti-Israel sentiments and advocating for violent resistance. The encampment was organized by several student groups who have taken a vocal stance on Palestinian liberation and divestment from Israel.
The presence of a Jewish student holding an Israeli flag at the encampment led to further tension, with anti-Israel demonstrators encircling the student and chanting slogans such as “There is only one solution: Intifada revolution!” The incident highlighted the polarized views and confrontational atmosphere at the encampment, where differing opinions on the Israel-Palestine conflict were on display. The protests and distribution of anti-Israel materials at the University of Michigan have raised concerns about the promotion of violence and anti-Semitic rhetoric on college campuses, prompting calls for dialogue and understanding amidst contentious political issues. The university’s response to these incidents remains a subject of scrutiny as students and observers continue to monitor the situation on campus.
