Yale Students Protest Overnight Against Israeli Minister's Visit
(MENAFN) Over 200 Yale students staged a protest on Beinecke Plaza Tuesday evening, setting up tents to oppose a visit by far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir scheduled for Wednesday at Shabtai, a private Jewish society not affiliated with the university.
The demonstration kicked off at 6 p.m. (2200 GMT), beginning with around 25 students wearing ribbons and enjoying musical performances, as reported by media sources. The group rapidly grew, and by 9:30 p.m. (0130 GMT), eight tents had been erected in violation of university regulations that ban unauthorized structures.
"We’re here, and we’re staying the night," announced one organizer through a megaphone, adding, 'Yale’s silence about it.'
Ben-Gvir, a divisive figure in Israeli politics, is visiting the U.S. for the first time, with stops in New Haven and New York. Shmully Hecht, the founder of Shabtai and a real estate developer, defended the event, stating, "At a personal level I believe it is specifically unapologetic events such as this one that has preserved Yale as a more moderate safe haven for Jews in the current toxic Ivy community of extremism."
The protest marks the latest in a series of demonstrations at Yale concerning Israel’s war in Gaza and the university’s associations with military contractors. It also coincides with Bulldogs Days, a key event for over 1,300 newly admitted students.
Assistant Vice President for University Life Pilar Montalvo visited the protest twice but did not offer comments. Around 10 p.m. (0200 GMT), she and a Free Expression Facilitator distributed cards warning protesters that they were breaching campus rules and could face disciplinary actions or arrest.
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