Radical Protesters Vandalize Columbia University Buildings on Anniversary of Hind Rajab’s Death
Executive Summary
On January 29, 2025, radical activists targeted two Columbia University buildings, the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) and Kravis Hall at the Business School, in a coordinated act of vandalism. The attack, which included clogging toilets with cement and spray-painting slogans, was claimed by an anonymous anarchist group in an online communique. The vandalism was framed as an act of solidarity with Hind Rajab, a Palestinian child killed in Gaza, and positioned as resistance against Columbia’s alleged complicity in Israeli policies. Columbia University condemned the incident, stating that it disrupted academic operations and constituted harassment. Law enforcement is now investigating, and the university has pledged disciplinary action against those involved.
Analysis
The vandalism at Columbia University represents a continuation of radical left-wing protest tactics that merge Palestinian solidarity activism with direct action and property destruction. The attack was not spontaneous but rather a calculated act timed to the anniversary of Hind Rajab’s death, a symbol that has been widely adopted by anti-Israel activists.
The targeting of SIPA is particularly significant. The school has become a focal point of pro-Palestinian grievances due to its leadership, which includes Dean Keren Yarhi-Milo, a former Israeli intelligence officer, and NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence and Counterterrorism Rebecca Weiner. The attackers explicitly cited these figures in their statement, indicating that they view the institution as an arm of both Israeli and American security forces. The messaging behind the action—graffiti attacking Yarhi-Milo and Weiner, as well as direct physical sabotage of the building—suggests an intent to intimidate and disrupt rather than simply make a political statement.
The second target, Kravis Hall, was attacked due to its connection to Columbia’s real estate expansion into Harlem and its relationship with Columbia’s Global Center in Tel Aviv. Activists have long framed Columbia’s development projects as a form of “gentrification” and its ties to Israel as complicity in “apartheid.” The act of spray-painting the building is consistent with past radical direct actions in New York City, where symbolic targets are defaced to attract media attention and energize protest movements.
The tactic of cementing toilets, however, marks an escalation. Unlike graffiti, which can be removed relatively easily, sabotaging a building’s plumbing requires costly repairs and can disrupt operations for extended periods. This mirrors previous sabotage actions by radical environmental and labor activists who have used similar tactics to shut down corporate offices and government buildings.
Columbia University’s response has been swift, with multiple statements condemning the vandalism and increased security presence at SIPA. The university has also announced an investigation in collaboration with law enforcement. Given Columbia’s history of student activism, it is likely that the perpetrators are affiliated with university organizations, and disciplinary action may follow. However, as seen in past instances of campus radicalism, any crackdown may provoke further protests and accusations of repression.
Online anarchist platforms have amplified the communique claiming responsibility, spreading the messaging beyond Columbia’s campus and into broader activist networks. This suggests that similar actions could occur at other universities with perceived ties to Israeli institutions or policies.
The timing of the attack also coincides with heightened tensions surrounding U.S. policy in the Middle East, particularly regarding the Biden administration’s stance on Israel and Gaza. Radical leftist groups have increasingly framed their activism within a broader anti-colonial and anti-imperialist struggle, positioning universities, corporations, and government agencies as targets for disruption. The Columbia vandalism fits within this framework, serving as both an act of resistance and a recruitment tool for further radicalization.
