The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill is facing resistance from anti-Israel agitators as the 2024-2025 school year officially begins. UNC Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), an unofficial student group, posted on Instagram a commitment to resist “by any means necessary” and condone “all forms of principled action.” This group has received funding from Hamas-linked groups and is responding to the arrest of 40 agitators on campus in May during a protest against the Israel-Gaza war. The group is advocating for collective defense and the dropping of all charges while aiming for Palestinian liberation.
The Instagram post by SJP also expresses support for resistance not only in Palestine but in the imperial core. It mentions condoning all forms of principled action, including armed rebellion necessary to stop Israel’s actions and dismantle imperialism and capitalism. Irina Tsukerman of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs stated that SJP is a national organization with local chapters, and its followers include college students as well as non-U.S. citizens. She highlighted that SJP represents Hamas rather than being a voice for Palestinians.
Steve McGuire of the American Council of Trustees and Alumni described SJP as anti-Western and anti-civilizational revolutionaries with political and ideological goals related to Gaza. He emphasized that schools should take rhetoric posted by SJP on social media seriously to protect their campus communities. McGuire noted that administrators should anticipate protests, encampments, and demonstrations similar to those in the spring happening again in the fall and prepare accordingly.
Tsukerman pointed out that social media may give a distorted view of the actual support and activity of SJP among students. She mentioned that the group aligns itself with anti-capitalist, radical leftist movements that oppose Western systems and use social media to amplify their voice against Israel, capitalism, and democracy. Chapel Hill previously made headlines when anti-Israel activists replaced the American flag with a Palestinian flag on campus, prompting a response from law enforcement to restore the American flag.
The University Board of Trustees approved interim Chancellor Lee Roberts as Chapel Hill’s 13th chancellor, despite criticism for his handling of the protests and encampment. Activists, including non-affiliated individuals, tried to take down the American flag again, but students, including fraternity brothers, intervened to prevent it from hitting the ground. Despite the challenges faced by the university, Chancellor Roberts expressed commitment to the university’s mission of public service and helping people achieve their full potential, promising to guide the institution into the future. Anti-Israel student groups, including SJP’s Chapel Hill arm and the Southern Student Action Coalition, criticized Roberts as authoritarian and a “general” upon his appointment as chancellor.
