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On the second anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel, demonstrators congregated outside Columbia University, raising their voices with chants of “From the river to the sea.” Protesters distributed a publication titled Columbia Intifada, which appeared to endorse the violent actions during the attack at the Nova music festival that killed numerous Israeli citizens.
The Oct. 7, 2025 edition features a front-page article dubbed “Hamas: A Brief History.” The publication proclaims that it commemorates two years since the residents of Gaza dismantled the barriers surrounding what they described as their modern concentration camp.
Students for Justice in Palestine (SJC), a student-run organization, produced the Columbia Intifada paper. However, Columbia University quickly condemned the publication’s message late last year, asserting that its promotion of violence is strictly against university policy.
The top of the Columbia Intifada reads with a disclaimer distancing itself from the university. It states: “Columbia Intifada is not affiliated with the terrorist, imperialist, Nazi-Zionist, colonizing, gentrifying, pig-love, genocidal, war-profiteering ‘institution’ known as Columbia University.” The cover also mentions the group’s affiliation with Students for Justice in Palestine.
Columbia’s chapter of SJC faced suspension in November 2023. This decision led to a legal battle, with the New York Civil Liberties Union and Palestine Legal suing the university in March 2024. They argued that Columbia violated the group’s rights. However, in November 2024, the New York Supreme Court sided with the university, maintaining the suspension of the group up to the present day.
Even with the chapter suspended, SJC’s social media accounts remain active. It remains unclear who is currently responsible for writing and publishing the Columbia Intifada.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Students for Justice in Palestine but did not receive a response regarding the current activities of the group.
The Columbia Intifada is formatted like a typical four-page newspaper, complete with vibrant colors and anonymous authorship. Its branding closely resembles that of the university’s own Columbia Spectator.
Protests outside Columbia’s gates involved not only the distribution of newspapers but also stickers promoting the event thrown from university grounds to participants outside. The display of solidarity attracted approximately one hundred protesters. Many participants concealed their identities, wearing garments that left only their eyes visible. Organizers also offered free masks to individuals crossing a police barrier aimed at controlling potential conflicts.
Chants of “free Palestine” filled the streets at the intersection of 116th and Broadway. However, a handful of pro-Israel counter-protesters expressed their dissent about thirty minutes into the demonstration.
Speaking to the crowd, the first organizer instructed participants not to engage with the media, encouraging them to repeat the directive. The organizer further advised that media inquiries should be directed towards individuals wearing grey armbands. When Fox News Digital sought to communicate with these designated individuals, the protesters failed to produce anyone.
Criticism of the SJC and its actions came swiftly. Republican Jewish Coalition spokesperson Sam Markstein decried the group, stating they represent a severe anti-Semitic sentiment and have been a contributing factor to their marginalization in political discourse. Markstein asserted that if the SJC is proud of their statements, they should reveal their identities rather than remain anonymous.
In the midst of rising tensions, opposing views clashed visibly in the streets. This dynamic continued to develop as the protest unfolded, highlighting the polarized views surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Fox News Digital also attempted to reach Columbia University for comments on the protests and related issues but received no response.
The Columbia Intifada incident fits into a larger narrative debated within educational institutions regarding freedom of speech and the implications of expression surrounding sensitive political topics.
This moment not only reflects discord between support for Palestinian rights and pro-Israel sentiments but also emphasizes the complex relationship between university policies and pressing global issues. Universities like Columbia are grappling with how to address activism on campus without compromising their values and the safety of their communities.
As the visual landscape of Columbia’s campus transformed on this significant anniversary, the repercussions of protests like this reverberate beyond the college, stirring conversations across the nation about activism, identity, and the freedom to express controversial views.
The palpable energy surrounding the day illustrates a broader struggle within academic spaces, as students seek to navigate the complexities of dialogue and dissent in a time of increasing tension and division in socio-political discourse. As this challenging conversation continues, universities must find ways to foster constructive dialogue while allowing for the diverse voices that make their communities vibrant.
