Anti-Israel group at Univ. of Maryland reserves quad for anniversary of Hamas invasion

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (TND) — The University of Maryland chapter of "Students for Justice in Palestine" has reserved space on the school's main quad on the one-year anniversary of the terrorist invasion of Israel, a Jewish organization at the school said in a statement Tuesday.

Maryland Hillel, which provides resources to Jewish students, called the reservation by SJP an “affront to a day of Jewish tragedy and mourning.”

“While we are celebrating our Jewish pride, others in the Maryland community are not,” Maryland Hillel Executive Director Ari Israel said.

He added that while Maryland SJP, which believes Israel has "no right to exist," didn’t violate any university rules and followed protocol to reserve the space, Maryland Hillel voiced its concerns with the school’s president and vice president.

“We apprised them of the emotional load SJP’s callous behavior will bear on our Jewish community if they protest on the greatest Jewish day of mourning and tragedy since the Holocaust,” Israel said.

SJP planted 15,000 white flags, along with a larger Palestinian flag, on the same McKeldin Mall on Tuesday to honor Palestinians killed by the State of Israel. The group claimed the country has killed more than 150,000 people in Gaza, although the local health ministry puts the number at roughly 40,000.

“As we come back to campus we need to remember that there is no ‘back to school’ in Gaza. The Zionist entity has demolished nearly all schools and universities and the future of tens of thousands of students,” Maryland SJP wrote in an Instagram post. “We are so privileged to have the opportunity to earn an education and we use actions like these to put that education to fight for justice.”

The group also set up a sign reading "from the river to the sea Palestine is almost free.”

“This is more than just a powerful start to the new semester—it’s a reaffirmation of our commitment to justice and solidarity, stronger than ever before,” SJP added.

Maryland SJP was one of many across the U.S. this year that protested their school’s investments in companies they believed were helping Israel in its war with Hamas terrorists.

A spokesperson for University of Maryland confirmed SJP has reserved quad space and said permits are being issued for October 7 events at "several of our campus locations."

"One event will be university-sponsored and will serve as a moment of reflection. Other events are sponsored by Jewish student leader organizations, and all are planned in accordance with our policies. For every one of these events, safety will be our priority," the spokesperson added.

Have questions, concerns or tips? Send them to Ray at rjlewis@sbgtv.com.