Edited by: Fern Sidman

Thursday night bore witness to escalating tensions at the newly established “intifada” encampment within the hallowed grounds of the City College of New York, as anti-Israel demonstrators clashed with school security personnel, capturing the attention of onlookers and igniting fervent debate, as was reported by The New York Post.

In a dramatic turn of events, captured on video by independent journalist Katie Smith, the encampment became a focal point of unrest as protesters surrounded a school security guard, chanting defiantly, “We will stay, we will stay!,” the Post report indicated. With hands raised in protest, the anti-Israel mob compelled the guard to retreat, walking backward towards a group of NYPD officers congregated nearby.

The footage depicts a tense standoff as protesters formed a human barrier, advancing towards the steps where law enforcement officers stood. According to the Post report, despite the escalating confrontation, no arrests were reported as of 6:30 p.m. Thursday, according to police sources.

The encampment, erected earlier that day on the grounds of the state-funded college, marked a symbolic gesture of solidarity with the pro-Hamas, pro-terror cause, with participants raising the Palestinian flag high above the quad, as per the information provided in the Post report. By afternoon, the campus was engulfed in a sea of Hamas flags and banners, signaling the fervent support for the terror movement that was responsible for the brutal massacre of 1200 Israelis and others on October 7th in southern Israel.

Indie reporter Talia Jane captured scenes of the campus adorned with Palestinian symbols, showcasing the magnitude of the demonstration. Detailed in the Post report was that as many as 300 protesters converged on the Convent Avenue campus, amplifying their voices in a unified call for continued terror against Israel.

“We have a right to control where our tuition goes, and it should never go towards oppressing any people anywhere!” declared Within Our Lifetime organizer Nerdeen Kiswani, addressing the crowd through a megaphone, according to the information contained in the Post report. Kiswani’s speech, shared on the group’s social media platforms, resonated with the crowd, igniting a fervor of solidarity and determination to support terrorism targeting Israel.

The term “intifada,” historically associated with Palestinian uprisings against Israel, calls attention to the gravity of the moment, evoking memories of past struggles and the ongoing quest for “liberation.”

Against the backdrop of ongoing war that Hamas launched against Israel in October, demonstrators raised their voices in solidarity with the Hamas cause, demanding tangible action from university authorities.

Several signs adorned the encampment area, boldly proclaiming the call for divestment from Israel in response to what they have described as the escalating violence in Gaza, the Post report said.

While the demonstration remained mostly calm, the presence of NYPD officers monitoring the perimeter illustrated the underlying tension simmering beneath the surface. Despite the relative tranquility, the warning issued by Kiswani loomed large, cautioning against any attempts to suppress the protest.

“Efforts to shut down the demonstration will be met with anger,” Kiswani declared, her words echoing through the crowd as a rallying cry, the Post reported.

In a video shared by Scootercaster, Kiswani’s message reverberated across social media platforms, amplifying the call to action and galvanizing support from allies across New York City.