Cornell University Building Vandalized with Anti-Israel Graffiti

On the first day of classes at Cornell University, the main administrative building, Day Hall, was vandalized with antisemitic graffiti reading 'Israel Bombs, Cornell pays' and 'Blood is on your hands,' and a glass door was shattered. Pro-Palestinian activists claimed responsibility, stating that they resorted to property damage to make their voices heard amid concerns over the university's handling of previous protests. Cornell's administration, led by interim president Michael Kotlikoff, condemned the act and emphasized the need to balance free speech with a safe learning environment, pledging that those responsible would face disciplinary action and potential criminal charges. This incident follows a tumultuous previous academic year marked by anti-Israel protests and heightened tensions on campus. Critics suggest that the university's past responses may have emboldened such aggressive actions by activists. The vandalism coincides with a strike by Cornell employees seeking better wages, further complicating the campus climate.