Dozens of anti-Israel students gathered at Columbia University on Wednesday to protest former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

The protest occurred outside Clinton’s class, "Inside the Situation Room," and demonstrators accused her of involvement in war crimes, as the Washington Free Beacon reports.

The event, organized by the Columbia School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) Palestine Working Group, called for students to walk out in protest.

The protesters displayed banners and signs with messages such as "Resist until victory" and "Fascist bootlicker we know you." A prominent poster for the sit-in showed an image of Clinton with bloodied features and crossed-out eyes, labeling her as part of "Israel Global Propagandists." The protest unfolded amidst growing tensions on campus over Israel-related issues.

Accusations of War Crimes and Global Interference

The protest comes as part of a wider effort by the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and other student groups to bring attention to Clinton’s alleged role in international conflicts.

According to organizers, Clinton is responsible for war crimes in Iraq, Libya, Syria, Yemen, and Palestine. They criticized her for backing arms deals that enabled bombings in Yemen and for interfering in Haitian elections during her tenure as secretary of state.

The demonstrators further accused Clinton of spreading false information, such as claims of mass rape in Libya, to justify regime change. These allegations were echoed in a series of social media posts by the SJP chapter, who stated, "War criminals are not welcome on campus."

Calls for Action and University Response

Organizers of the sit-in called for Columbia University to divest from Israel and remove Clinton from her teaching position. "We will not stand for genocide, propaganda, and the militarization of our campus," the Palestine Working Group declared in a statement, urging students to walk out of her class.

The protest follows similar disruptions dating back to October 7, when anti-Israel demonstrations first erupted on campus. These protests were primarily aimed at the university’s connections with Israel and featured calls for the school to sever ties with what the students called "apartheid policies."

Despite the protest, university officials confirmed that Clinton’s class proceeded without any disruption. The university issued a statement affirming students’ right to free expression while emphasizing the importance of a learning environment free from discrimination and harassment.

Vandalism and Escalating Tensions on Campus

The protest was not the only form of unrest at Columbia University in recent weeks. The day before the sit-in, an activist group known as Unity of Fields took credit for an act of vandalism. They poured paint on the iconic Alma Mater statue on campus, an act the group described as part of their plan to bring violence.

The situation mirrors similar incidents that have occurred throughout 2023, including a protest in February when former Columbia professor Mohamed Abdou led students in interrupting a panel discussion featuring Clinton. The rising tensions on campus have sparked debates about the balance between free speech and campus safety.

Protesters Align with Hamas Leadership

In a further controversial move, the SJP chapter praised figures associated with Hamas, a group designated as a terrorist organization by many countries. They referenced Hamas founder Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, who was assassinated in 2004, and current Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, calling them embodiments of "unrelenting resistance in the face of oppression."

The organization’s alignment with these figures has sparked additional concerns about the nature of the protest and its impact on campus life. Meanwhile, the SJP chapter used the protest as a platform to highlight the situation in Gaza, stating that students there have no universities to return to due to ongoing conflict.

Calls for Divestment and Continued Protests

The demands for divestment from Israel were a central theme of the sit-in, with protesters vowing to continue their efforts until Columbia University complies. "We will not stop, and we will not rest until Columbia divests from apartheid and genocide," the SJP chapter posted on social media, signaling that this protest is just the beginning of a larger movement.

The protest coincided with the first week of the fall semester at Columbia, but the timing also reflects ongoing debates about academic freedom, human rights, and the role of U.S. foreign policy in global conflicts. Clinton, who joined Columbia in 2023 to lead the university’s Institute of Global Politics, has not publicly responded to the accusations made by the protesters.

Conclusion: A Heated Start to Semester

The protest against Hillary Clinton at Columbia University marks yet another flashpoint in the ongoing debate over the university’s ties to Israel and its handling of political dissent on campus. Accusations of war crimes and demands for divestment dominated the sit-in, as tensions continue to rise. With both sides standing firm in their positions, the issue is unlikely to fade anytime soon.

In the coming weeks, more demonstrations and protests are expected as student groups continue to push for changes in university policies. Columbia’s administration, for its part, has reiterated its commitment to ensuring a safe and open learning environment for all students, while acknowledging the complex and sensitive nature of these protests.