Demonstrations took place across several U.S. cities on October 7, marking three years since the Hamas-led attack on Israel. Protests were reported around Columbia University, NYU, UCLA and UC Davis, with demonstrators carrying Palestinian flags and using chants including “globalize the intifada” and “long live the intifada.”
The rallies reflected the continuing divide over the Israel-Gaza conflict, with some protesters describing the anniversary through the lens of Palestinian suffering and calling for Palestinian liberation. At UC Davis, some demonstrators reportedly referred to October 7 as the “al-Aqsa Flood,” Hamas’ name for the attack.
The anniversary also prompted mourning for the Israeli victims of October 7, when Hamas-led attackers killed about 1,200 people and abducted more than 250 others.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani acknowledged the suffering connected to October 7 while criticizing Israel’s conduct in Gaza.
Trauma psychologist Dr. Orli Peter criticized the demonstrations, saying they “weaponize the anniversary” and can interfere with Jewish mourning. The protests highlighted how deeply contested the anniversary remains three years later.
