Jewish UNC students involved in both sides of Gaza protests
As pro-Palestinian protesters removed the American flag from the Polk Place flagpole at UNC-Chapel Hill, a smaller group stood at the northern end of the quad, watching and holding Israeli flags on the steps of South Building.
The removal of the flag around 2 p.m. Tuesday marked the beginning of an hours-long standoff over which flag would fly above campus — the Palestinian flag, which the protesters raised, or the American flag, which interim Chancellor Lee Roberts reinstalled under a police escort and was then quickly removed once more by the protesters.
The scene, and others throughout the “Gaza solidarity encampment” that stood on campus for four days, also illuminated the varied reactions
Jewish students, faculty and community members displayed throughout the protest.
Both the encampment and counter-protests included Jewish participants, and some of those on both sides described their Jewish identity as central to their views on the protest and the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
Throughout the life of the encampment, which was dismantled Tuesday morning after police detained 36 protesters, counter-protesters were sparse. At times, none were seen. At other times, they came in handfuls — typically no more than 25 people.
Jewish counter-protesters who spoke to The News & Observer said they came in small groups because many others were afraid to be near the protest.
“Jewish faculty, Jewish students, many of them are scared to be here,” UNC School of
Medicine professor Adam Goldstein said Monday, standing on the outskirts of the encampment as he held a sign depicting
a news article about hostages being held by Hamas.