Yale University is under fire after one of its student journalists was viciously attacked during a pro-Palestinian rally on Saturday evening. Sahar Tartak, the editor-in-chief of the Yale Free Press publication, was surrounded by a hostile group of protesters who subjected her to anti-Semitic taunts and threats before one individual struck her directly in the eye with a Palestinian flag staff.
According to Tartak’s own account to the New York Post, she was encircled by hundreds of aggressive demonstrators making obscene gestures as she attempted to cover the event organized by pro-Palestinian student activists. Despite identifying herself as a member of the press, one protester waved a Palestinian flag in Tartak’s face before violently jabbing the pole end into her eye socket.”When I tried to call for help, a line of protesters blocked me from getting away,” Tartak told the Post. “I was eventually able to break through and get myself to the hospital for treatment of a severe eye injury.”
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However, Tartak claims campus police initially refused to intervene when she reported the assault, stating they were unable to get involved due to it being a protest. The university has stated the Yale police department is now investigating the incident as administrators face criticism for allowing the situation to devolve into violence without enforcing guidelines around protests.Images of the suspected assailant wielding the Palestinian flag have been circulated by the anti-Semitism watchdog group StopAntisemitism in an effort to identify the perpetrator. In a statement, the nonprofit accused the pro-Palestinian student group of “egregious behavior” and “intimidation and harassment” towards Jewish students.For its part, Yale released a statement from the university president condemning “actions including remarks that threaten, harass or intimidate members of the university’s Jewish, Muslim or other communities.” However, some critics like student Noah Rubin of the University of Pennsylvania claim Yale is failing to uphold its own policies regulating protests, which prohibit obstructing facility access or refusing to disperse upon orders.
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The assault on Tartak occurred amidst an ongoing hunger strike by pro-Palestinian students pushing Yale to sever ties with defense manufacturers conducting business with Israel. The protest has lasted over a week and drawn support from activists like drag performer Tifa Wine, who joined the strikers in a show of solidarity.As investigations into identifying Tartak’s attacker continue, the campus remains deeply divided over issues surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The recent violence and allegations of administrative inaction have only intensified concerns about ensuring all Yale students are able to voice their political views safely without threats or acts of intimidation.
