'Disgraceful and cowardly': Internet slams anti-Israel protesters at Yale University as they tear down American flag

Anti-Israel protesters at Yale University tore down an American flag during a campus occupation, sparking condemnation online
Yale's anti-Israel protesters took their demonstration to an alarming level by tearing down an American flag (Getty Images, Sahar Tartak/X)
Yale's anti-Israel protesters took their demonstration to an alarming level by tearing down an American flag (Getty Images, Sahar Tartak/X)

NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT: Tensions ran high at Yale University on Friday night, April 19, as anti-Israel protesters took their demonstration to an alarming level by tearing down an American flag during a campus occupation, leaving Jewish students feeling intimidated and sparking widespread condemnation, as per Wall Street Journal.

Amidst the chaos, a Jewish student journalist was reportedly assaulted, raising concerns about safety and freedom of expression on campus. These incidents occurred during an encampment at Beinecke Plaza.

Video shows activists at Yale cheering while removing American flag



 

 

A widely shared video on social media platforms captured anti-Israel activists wearing kaffiyehs cheering and celebrating as they removed the American flag.

According to eyewitnesses, more than 500 protesters had gathered at Beinecke Plaza, with the encampment organizers vowing to continue their occupation until the university met their demands for disclosure and divestment from Israel.

Pro-Israel counter-protesters were also in attendance for a few hours near Woodbridge Hall. At its busiest moment, nearly 25 individuals participated in the demonstration.

NEW HAVEN, CT - OCTOBER 18: Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut on October 18, 1981. (Photo by Jim Steinfeldt/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Pro-Israel counter-protesters were also in attendance for a few hours near Yale's Woodbridge Hall (Jim Steinfeldt/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

The situation took an even more disturbing turn when Sahar Tartak, the editor-in-chief of the Yale Free Press, was allegedly assaulted while covering the protest.

According to Tartak, as quoted by the New York Post, "There's hundreds of people taunting me and waving the middle finger at me, and then this person waves a Palestinian flag in my face and jabs it in my eye."

Tartak, who was wearing Hasidic Jewish attire, claimed that she and a friend were singled out and surrounded by demonstrators, preventing them from filming the event.

Despite her efforts to report the assault to campus police, they informed her that they couldn't intervene. With no options left, she left campus to seek medical help at a nearby hospital.

(Sahar Tartak/X)
A widely-shared video shows anti-Israel activists at Yale cheering and celebrating as they removed the American flag (Sahar Tartak/X)

Internet slams anti-Israel protesters for ripping down American flag

News of anti-Israel protesters ripping down the American flag at Yale University quickly spread across the internet, prompting a wave of condemnation directed at the activists. One Facebook user said, "The left hates America. Their actions are disgraceful and cowardly." Another remarked, "They are so self-righteous but haven’t a clue about the real world. They’re lost."

A third user wrote, "The leftist ideology creating chaos and violence everywhere," while another person stated, "Should gather them up and send them to the country they love!! America don’t want them!!"

Another user didn't mince words, calling the activists "pieces of human sh*t, every last one of them." A sixth user advocated, "Bring back the draft. This is the result of entitled kids never having to serve this country."

A seventh user suggested harsh consequences, commenting, "Give them felonies, so this way they will never get a job! Haha good job parents, your kids are complete idiots!!!"

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Under the UCMJ, military executions require presidential approval and Congress has never authorized them to be publicly livestreamed
22 minutes ago
Trump's varying statements on whether the recipients would be 'all adult citizens' or 'every US citizen' created a gap of around 73 million people
51 minutes ago
Elon Musk donated $276 million to Republican super PACs and political groups over the past three months
9 hours ago
In 2025, US businesses and consumers bore about 90% of tariff costs, challenging Trump's claim that foreign countries primarily pay the duties
9 hours ago
California may seek a rehearing or appeal to the Supreme Court as its legal battle with the Trump admin over immigration enforcement continues
9 hours ago
An expert said Katie Zacharia appeared ‘nervous’ and needed training, while praising Karoline Leavitt’s eye contact, vocal inflection, and authority
10 hours ago
Katie Zacharia said she worked in international transactional law after moving to China, while reports questioned whether she passed a US bar exam
10 hours ago
Kimberly Guilfoyle, 57, dated Donald Trump Jr for six years until 2024 before becoming US ambassador to Greece on November 4, 2025
12 hours ago
Ric Grenell denied Alina Habba’s allegations, saying he never received money from Turhan Mildon or redirected funds meant for the Kennedy Center
12 hours ago
According to sources, City Hall staffers were frustrated by Darializa Avila Chevalier’s social media posts and public statements targeting the NYPD
12 hours ago