Violent clashes erupted at UCLA between pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian protesters, escalating after pro-Israeli counter-demonstrators, many not affiliated with the university, attacked a pro-Palestine encampment set up by students a week prior, as reported by Al Jazeera’s Rob Reynolds in Los Angeles.
Video footage captured protesters engaging in physical altercations and hurling objects at individuals within the pro-Palestine encampment, with Reynolds noting a lack of police intervention. The counter-protesters, identified as pro-Zionist and pro-Israel, aimed to dismantle the encampment as part of ongoing protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza and the call for divestment from Israeli ties.
The clashes involved hand-to-hand combat, object throwing, and the use of chemical irritants, potentially leading to injuries. The counter-demonstrators were identified by their yellow flags adorned with a crown symbol and Hebrew script meaning “messiah,” indicating their alignment with specific organizations.
The situation underscores the intensity of tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on college campuses, highlighting the need for intervention to prevent further violence.
