A clash erupted between demonstrators supporting Palestine and protesters supporting Israel at the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA) on Tuesday night.
Videos shared online and reports from local media indicate that a group of pro-Israel activists attempted to dismantle a pro-Palestinian encampment on the campus, where students had been protesting against the Gaza war for the past week.
Prior to the outbreak of violence, UCLA had deemed the camp “unlawful” and had called on activists to vacate the area.
The confrontation between the encampment occupants and their opponents intensified around 11pm local time, with the pro-Israel group throwing stones and launching lit fireworks into the camp. Footage from the scene also captured violent altercations between opposing student demonstrators. Early on Wednesday, individuals on social media expressed frustration that the police had not yet arrived to intervene, despite the clashes having started hours earlier.
The Los Angeles Police Department later confirmed that it was aware of the situation at UCLA and was en route to the university at its request, citing “multiple acts of violence.” As of now, there have been no reports of injuries or arrests.
This incident at UCLA represents the latest escalation in the protest movement against Israel’s actions in Gaza, which has been unfolding on college campuses across the United States.
Student activists are calling on universities and the US government to sever ties with Israel and pressure it to cease hostilities.
