Photo of Nazi Flag at Columbia University Is Unrelated to Recent Pro-Palestine Protests

Misbar investigated the viral photo and found the claim to be misleading.

A thorough reverse image search revealed the photo making the rounds to be outdated and unrelated to the recent pro-Palestine protests in the U.S. universities.

2018 Photo of Nazi Flag Found in Columbia University’s Professor Office

Contrary to social media users’ claim, the photo is old. The photo shows Nazi graffiti found in a Columbia University professor's office in Nov 2018.

On Nov 28, 2018, Swastikas and the term "Yid" were found painted on the walls of the office belonging to Elizabeth Midlarsky, a professor at Columbia University's Teachers College.

The Columbia Spectator, the student newspaper of Columbia University, uploaded the photo to a published article on November 29, 2018, titled "Columbia Teachers College professor’s office vandalized with swastikas, anti-Semitic slurs."

According to the NYPD, another staff member entered the room that day without noticing anything unusual. The NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force was investigating the incident as aggravated harassment.

According to reports, Professor Midlarsky's office had been previously targeted in 2007, with a swastika spray-painted on her door and anti-Semitic flyers left in her mailbox.

Both the Office of University Life and Barnard College released statements condemning the anti-Semitic act and expressing solidarity with Jewish students.

"We unequivocally condemn any expression of hatred, which has no place in our society. We are outraged and horrified by this act of aggression and use of this vile anti-Semitic symbol against a valued member of our community," Teachers College President Thomas Bailey said. 

Swastika: The Most Notorious Hate Symbol

The swastika, an ancient symbol with origins in multiple cultures across various continents, had historically been associated with benign meanings before the 20th century. However, in the early 20th century, it was appropriated by right-wing factions of the "völkisch" movement in Germany. 

Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party adopted the swastika as their primary symbol in 1920, influenced by this movement. The atrocities committed by the Nazi regime, notably the Holocaust, forever transformed the swastika into a symbol of hate, anti-Semitism, and infamy.

Since the end of World War II in 1945, the swastika has become one of the most notorious symbols of hate, associated with anti-Semitism and white supremacy worldwide. Its display is prohibited in countries like Germany.

Over 2300 Pro-Palestine Protesters Detained at U.S. College Campuses

Amidst widespread protests over the Israeli war on Gaza, Columbia University's campus became a focal point in mid-April, sparking similar demonstrations at universities in the United States, Canada, Australia, and France. 

These protests, many of which revolve around encampments, have faced increasingly forceful responses from local law enforcement.

On Wednesday at UCLA, masked counter-protesters attacked pro-Palestine demonstrators in their encampment using metal pipes, mace, pepper spray, and even a firework, while police intervention was delayed, as reported by Al Jazeera. Subsequently, the police cleared the encampment. This incident followed a police operation at Columbia University, where officers arrested student protesters who had occupied a building. 

According to the New York Times, more than 2,300 people have been arrested or detained on campuses across the country.

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