On the evening of April 22, 2025, Yale University's Beinecke Plaza became the epicenter of a heated pro-Palestinian demonstration as approximately 200 students erected eight tents to protest an upcoming talk by Israel's far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, hosted by the Shabtai society near campus. The encampment, reported by WFSB and the Yale Daily News, aimed to pressure Yale to divest from military weapons manufacturers tied to the Gaza conflict. By 11:30 p.m., the protesters dispersed, citing threats of "retribution" from university administrators, but their resolve to continue the fight remains unshaken.
The protest began around 8 p.m., with students chanting slogans like "Free Palestine" and setting up what they called a "liberated zone." Organizers announced their intent to stay overnight, but the encampment lasted only a few hours before disbanding. "We're here, and we're staying the night," one organizer declared via megaphone, according to the Yale Daily News, before later urging students to rally again the next day. The swift dispersal followed warnings from Yale officials, though no arrests were reported, unlike previous protests that saw nearly 60 students detained.
