WATCH: Pro-Palestinian Protesters Wave Taliban Flags At Florida Atlantic University
Pro-Palestinian protesters at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) waved Taliban flags during a heated demonstration on Wednesday, during which several people were arrested.
Video footage shows dozens of protesters at a “Protest for Palestine” waving several Taliban flags, Palestinian flags, and signs as they walked through the university’s campus for about two hours.
The protest was sparked by last weekend’s terrorist attacks on Israel by Hamas that killed about 1,300 people, including at least 27 Americans.
Counter-protesters also showed up at the FAU protest on Wednesday, demonstrating their support for Israel. A day earlier, more than 100 pro-Israel demonstrators had held a peaceful march on campus.
One female pro-Palestinian protester was arrested and charged with battery as well as battery of an officer after she allegedly elbowed a pro-Israeli protester and then kicked a cop as he was arresting her, Boca News Now reported.
The university said two other protesters were arrested as well.
FAU issued a statement on Monday saying the university stands with Israel.
“As ardent supporters of Israel, Florida Atlantic University vehemently opposes the ongoing violence and loss of life witnessed this weekend in Israel and urges an immediate cessation of hostilities to avoid further loss of life,” FAU said.
“We condemn the terrorist attacks that were carried out against civilian communities and we support Israel’s right to defend itself,” the university said.
“I defend Israel, I stand with Israel forever, for my whole life, and it’s sad to see that a terrorist group is doing what they’re doing to Israeli civilians, innocent people in Israel,” one young male pro-Israel protester told CBS Miami.
Similar protests, both for and against Israel, have broken out in cities across the country, including in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Atlanta.
The NYPD ramped up security ahead of dueling protests.
Within hours after Hamas’ attacks on Israel began, disturbing, graphic videos circulated showing murdered Israeli civilians as well as Hamas soldiers with hostages, including children, the elderly, and bloodied women who appear to have been sexually assaulted.
Israel is now waging a massive counteroffensive, launching hundreds of airstrikes in Hamas-controlled territory, mobilizing 300,000 reservists, and putting tanks near the Gaza border.
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