A flood of pro-Palestine and pro-Israel demonstrations have emerged on California college campuses in light of the Israel-Hamas war, triggered by Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. 

With students and professors involved, California university leaders are struggling to find a balance between protecting students’ First Amendment rights and keeping campuses safe. Both groups have experienced instances of harassment and an overall sense of anxiety on campuses. At demonstrations, many decide to wear masks to avoid being recognized.  

Numerous incidents regarding protests have been reported at college campuses across the state. Stanford University is currently investigating a hate crime after an Arab Muslim student was struck in a hit-and-run. 

“The victim reported that the driver made eye contact with the victim, accelerated and struck the victim and then drove away while shouting, ‘f— you people,’” the Stanford Department of Public Safety said in a press release.

At UC Berkeley, two Jewish groups are suing the UC system over its “inaction” regarding discrimination against Jewish students. The groups believe the university has failed to crack down on antisemitic occurrences on campus. 

“Students stated that the school does so little to protect Jewish students,” the complaint reads. “It feels as if the school were condoning anti-Semitism. They added that officials at the university display a ‘general disregard’ for Jewish students. They have little confidence that UC will protect them from anti-Semitic mobs.”

Doctoral student Merhawi Tesfai recognizes that the Israel-Palestine issue has divided students now more than ever in his six years at UCLA.

“How do people feel safe and advocate for their communities and make sure there is no political warfare?” Tesfai said. “We need to find a way to achieve that.”