'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

David Hearn’s vandalism case was dismissed after Jeanine Pirro said faulty renovations, not vandalism, caused the Reflecting Pool damage
38 minutes ago
Trump also praised her work since joining his political operation in 2018, including her role during his 2024 reelection campaign
1 hour ago
Elon University law professor Steve Friedland said each administration had its own approach to enforcing laws and using available tools
1 hour ago
The Trump administration returned to the Supreme Court after a federal judge expanded a nationwide block on the president's mail-ballot order
2 hours ago
Trump said he faced many threats, calling himself the most 'consequential president' and claiming he had done more than anyone in 'almost six years'
3 hours ago
Trump claimed the US has ‘total control’ of the Strait of Hormuz and suggested Washington could maintain its strategic hold over the vital waterway
4 hours ago
White House aides Natalie Harp, Walt Nauta, and Dan Scavino flew separately as press and staff mistakenly believed they were on Trump's plane
5 hours ago
Marco Rubio says a new State Department task force has revoked 600 visas in one month as the Trump administration intensifies its crackdown on birth tourism
5 hours ago
Schumer is demanding an immediate classified briefing after Trump's secret aircraft switch in Turkey exposed a covert security operation
6 hours ago
Trump said JD Vance could run for president with him as vice president, then resign after winning, allowing Trump to succeed him
6 hours ago