2 Protests, One War: Israel-Hamas Conflict Reaches Columbia U [PHOTOS]

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY - Columbia University’s Butler Lawn was split with protesters reacting to the Israel-Hamas war Thursday afternoon, with the “Call To Action For Palestine” student protest to one side and the Students Supporting Israel at Columbia University‬’s silent protest on the other.

The “Call To Action For Palestine" on the South Field East, organized by Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine, condemned newly-inaugurated University President Minouche Shafik, urging her to end the campus' dual-degree program with Tel Aviv University and pull the plug on the Tel Aviv Global Center opening. Other demands include Columbia University verbally acknowledging Palestine "existence and humanity," according to the SJP Instagram page.

"We demand liberation ... end the Zionist occupation," protesters chanted. "No more money for Israel's pride ... Minouche Shafik, you can't hide."

As the “Call To Action For Palestine" protest began at 4:45 p.m., the Students Supporting Israel at Columbia kicked off a silent protest on the South Field West, with "one second of silence to honor each innocent life taken," according to SSI's Instagram page. After about 30 minutes, the protesters began singing arm-in-arm before breaking out into dance.

Several protesters carried signs depicting Israelis reportedly taken hostage by Hamas. Other signs read "Hamas uses Palestinians as human shields" and "empathy on our campus now."

Nearly a dozen New York Police Department officers and at least two NYPD helicopters patrolled the lawn in front of Butler Library as protesters demonstrated on either side of the divide.

Of course, there were also those standing in the middle. One of the dozens of witnesses in between the two protests was 20-year-old political science student Mari, who told Patch why she was "just observing":

"It's not a black or white issue because there's so much hurt and anger and emotion on both sides," she said. "When you have friends and loved ones who are both Israeli and Palestinian and Muslim, it's hard to take a definitive stance. The only stance I can make is any loss of human life and the suffering of civilians, both Israeli and Palestinian, is just wrong and inhumane."

Only Columbia University students and staff were allowed to walk onto the school's Morningside Heights campus amid heightened security concerns Thursday. The restriction followed an Israeli student being attacked with a stick, which resulted in the arrest of a 19-year-old Wednesday.

Other college campuses across New York City saw similar protests Thursday. A tense pro-Palestinian rally at Brooklyn College hours earlier sparked "absolute madness."

With helicopters hovering over the CUNY campus and police swirling a mass of protesters and counter-protesters, the rally itself was moved outside the college's confines.

All New York Police Department members have been instructed to show up "in uniform" Friday, according to a police department spokesperson. The increased patrols come as Hamas calls on supporters to hold worldwide "Day of Rage" protests that may turn violent, according to ABC News.

“I want all New Yorkers, especially Jewish New Yorkers and other groups, to know there are currently no credible or specific threats against our city,” Mayor Eric Adams said Thursday night, adding that attendees of large-scale protests should remain "vigilant."

Gov. Kathy Hochul added that both New York State Police and Homeland Security and Emergency Services are "fully activated."

The state will equally have a zero-tolerance policy against hate directed at Palestinian New Yorkers, she said.

Adams has also directed the NYPD to surge additional resources to schools, houses of worship and "key neighborhoods" around the city.

“If New Yorkers see something, we’re saying to you to do something by reaching out to your local authorities,” he said.

"There is enormous fear in NYC’s Jewish community ahead of potential protests tomorrow," Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine said in an X post Thursday. "Know that NYPD is taking this extremely seriously. While there are currently no known specific threats, 1000s of officers will be mobilized thru Sunday at Jewish institutions and other sites."