Yale strips recognition from anti-Israel group after Ben Gvir protest encampment

Yale University pulls its recognition of an anti-Israel student group after protesters briefly set up a protest encampment last night ahead of a visit to the area by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.

Yale says in a statement that the protest was unauthorized and violated campus protest policies. University officials informed the activists of the policies and cleared the area, the university says.

While interacting with the students, campus staff identified activists that had been previously warned or disciplined for violating school policy. Those students receive written notice that they “are subject to immediate disciplinary action,” Yale says. An investigation into the protest is ongoing.

The campus protest group, Yalies4Palestine, encouraged demonstrators to attend the protest on social media and joined an unregistered group to take credit for the demonstration, a day after Yalies4Palestine met with college officials about policy violations. The group was warned that there would be consequences for further violations during that meeting, the university says.

“Because Yalies4Palestine has flagrantly violated the rules to which the Yale College Dean’s Office holds all registered student organizations, Yale College today notified Yalies4Palestine that the College is withdrawing its status as a registered student organization,” the university says. “Concerns have been raised about disturbing antisemitic conduct at the gathering. The university is investigating those concerns, as harassment and discrimination are antithetical to learning and scholarship. Yale condemns antisemitism and will hold those who violate our policies accountable through our disciplinary processes.”

The Yale Daily News reports that the protesters set up eight tents on campus, similar to the protest encampments that rocked US campuses last spring, and vowed to stay the night. The protest disbanded hours later due to fears of “retribution” from the university, the report says.

Yale’s statement comes as the Trump administration cracks down on anti-Israel activism at leading colleges around the US.

Ben Gvir is scheduled to meet with Yale students and faculty at an off-campus event tonight. The group hosting the event, Shabtai, is independent from the university.

Yalies4Palestine posts an image on Instagram of Ben Gvir’s face splattered with blood, announcing a protest for tonight.

Leftist Israelis are also protesting Ben Gvir’s visit. The expat protest group UnXeptable posts a video of activists hassling Ben Gvir as he arrives at an airport in New York.

“Do you want to send a message to Omri Miran?” an activist shouts at Ben Gvir. The Hamas terror group released a video of hostage Miran earlier today and the activists accuse the Netanyahu government of neglecting the captives.

ערב יום השואה בן גביר הטרוריסט בחיוכים ולבבות לקריאות מפגינים לישראלים ויהודים אמריקאים, בנחיתתן בשדה התעופה הקטן ביותר של ניו יורק, ווסטצסטר, בדרכו לניו הייבן לא נוותר לו בשום מקום, ומחר בקואליציה של מעל 24 ארגונים יהודיים נחכה לו בניו יורק , בן גביר מסוכן לישראל ליהדות ולאזור… pic.twitter.com/t4DU3a85RC

— UnXeptable (@UnxeptableD) April 23, 2025