One year after the death of a six-year-old Palestinian girl, Hind Rajab, during the 2024 Israel-Hamas conflict, protesters claiming responsibility have vandalized buildings at Columbia University. The vandalism, documented in a video posted online, included spray-painting the entrance of the Henry R. Kravis Hall at the Business School and defacing women’s restrooms in the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) building. The perpetrators, identifying themselves as the Palestine Solidarity Working Group, Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD), and @nycresistswithgaza, stated their actions were a tribute to Rajab and a protest against what they term "Israeli genocide."
The Kravis Hall was targeted, according to the groups, due to its symbolic representation of "violent gentrification" and its alleged connection to a Columbia global center in Tel Aviv. SIPA was chosen because it was reportedly the first Columbia institution to expel a student for supporting "Palestinian liberation." The restrooms were defaced with an image of Rajab and a message targeting Rebecca Weiner, NYPD’s deputy commissioner for intelligence and an adjunct professor at SIPA. The protesters also claim to have poured cement into toilets in the SIPA building, causing blockages. An internal university email confirmed the vandalism in the restrooms, describing a "cement-like substance" clogging the toilets.
Columbia University released a statement condemning the vandalism and stating that they are working with law enforcement to investigate the incident, which they described as including "disturbing, personal attacks." The incident coincided with President Trump's executive order directing law enforcement to crack down on antisemitism on college campuses, including deporting pro-Hamas activists holding student visas.
This act of vandalism follows previous protests at Columbia, including the temporary takeover of Hamilton Hall in April 2024, which protesters renamed "Hind’s Hall" in memory of Rajab. Rajab was killed along with several family members when their vehicle was shelled as they fled Gaza City during the conflict. The Palestine Red Crescent Society, which had been coordinating the family's evacuation with Israeli forces, accused the Israeli military of targeting the ambulance that was attempting to assist them.
