Anti-Israel Activists Vandalize Cornell University on First Day of School

ITHACA (VINnews) — A building at Cornell University was vandalized by antisemites on the first day of classes Monday.  According to the Cornell Daily Sun, the anti-Zionist agitators graffitied hate messages including “Israel Bombs, Cornell pays” and “Blood is on your hands” on Day Hall. They also shattered the glass of its front doors.

The vandals gave an anonymous message to the school’s student paper, the Cornell Daily Sun.

“We had to accept that the only way to make ourselves heard is by targeting the only thing the university administration truly cares about: property.”

“With the start of this new academic year, the Cornell administration is trying desperately to upkeep a facade of normalcy knowing that, since last semester, they have been working tirelessly to uphold Cornell’s function as a fascist, classist, imperial machine,” the activists said.

Cornell’s Vice President for University Relations Joel M. Malina shared this statement:

We are appalled by the graffiti spraypainted, and glass shattered overnight along the front entrance of Day Hall. Acts of violence, extended occupation of buildings, or property damage (including graffiti) will not be tolerated and will prompt an immediate response from public safety. Cornell Police are conducting a thorough investigation, and those responsible will be subject to suspension and criminal charges.

Last fall, student Patrick Dai posted antisemitic vicious murder threats on the university’s website and was sentenced to 21 months.

Former Cornell president Martha Pollack announced her resignation in May over multiple incidents, which included a history professor who described Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack as “exhilarating” and “energizing.”