A small anti-Israel protest of about 20 people targeted Minnesota Hillel on Oct. 7, as University of Minnesota students were gathering inside for a program to commemorate the one year anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attack against Israel.
The protest was outside of the Hillel building, and was quickly dispersed by police “without incident,” said a statement from Minnesota Hillel posted to social media.
“We greatly appreciate that we were able to continue our ceremony without significant interruption, and appreciate the quick action by law enforcement to support Jewish students,” the statement said. “Hillel’s doors will remain open every day for all Jewish students. We’re here for you!”
Minnesota Hillel hosted a variety of programming to help students commemorate Oct. 7; the 1,200 people – mostly civilians – murdered by Hamas one year ago; and the 101 hostages taken during the attack that are still being held by Hamas in Gaza.
In the spring, Jewish students felt vilified, threatened, and exhausted after a pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel encampment took over the Minneapolis campus of the University of Minnesota and exacerbated antisemitism felt in the wake of Oct. 7.
