Pro-Palestine protest at Tulane turns violent after man attempts to burn Israeli flag

Three Tulane University students in New Orleans, Louisiana were assaulted on Thursday when pro-Palestinian protests turned violent after a man tried to stop a protester from burning an Israeli flag.

Video obtained by Fox News Digital, which was made silent due to profanity, shows a truck with a masked man in the bed holding a Palestinian flag with another man, who is unmasked, holding an Israeli flag and a lighter.

When the second man appears to begin to light the Israeli flag on fire, another man holding an Israeli flag of his own runs up to the truck and attempts to stop the act before chaos breaks out and the interventionist is assaulted by pro-Palestinian protestors.

In total, three people were assaulted after the events turned chaotic.

An anti-Israel sign with the phrase "from the river to the sea Palestine will be free" at a protest at Tulane University. (Credit: Ryan Zamos)

In a letter sent to the Tulane Community, University President Michael A. Fitts and other school administrators called the day, “deeply distressing,” stating that three Tulane students were assaulted at the rally, which was “intentionally staged” on the public sidewalk along Freret Street. The university does not have control over the public sidewalk.

“This rally was not approved or sanctioned by Tulane,” the statement read. “There were approximately 40 plainclothes and uniformed New Orleans, Tulane, Loyola and State Police officers, including mounted police, who made arrests.”

Also on hand to assist were dozens of Tulane staff members.

Last night, university police apprehended a suspect for antisemitic vandalism to a building near the campus, the statement noted, and an investigation into Thursday’s events continues, which could lead to more arrests.

“To be clear: We condemn and are outraged by today’s violence and the hateful language and rhetoric we heard,” the statement read. “It is counter to everything we stand for at Tulane. What started out as a peaceful demonstration unfortunately devolved into a violent incident and a dark day for our community.”

Many of the people involved in the protest are not affiliated with the university, administrators added, and everyone who committed an illegal act will be held accountable for their actions.

“Tulane has always found strength in our unity. We must now lean on our common humanity and the Tulane spirit to find a path forward during these challenging times,” the statement read. “We cannot prevent protests from happening on public property even at our university’s doorstep.  We can only protect and support one another as we face each new day together.”