Violence erupted on the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles late Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning when pro-Israel demonstrators attacked a barricaded encampment organized by pro-Palestinian protesters at Royce Quad.
Israeli Protesters Laid Siege On The UCLA Gaza Support Camp For Over 4 Hours. The Israeli Protesters Used Make Shift Weapons, Chemical Weapons And Fireworks To Assault The Camp All Night Long, in Los Angeles, on May 1, 2024.(Photo by Shay Horse/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Israeli Protesters Laid Siege On The UCLA Gaza Support Camp For Over 4 Hours. The Israeli Protesters Used Make Shift Weapons, Chemical Weapons And Fireworks To Assault The Camp All Night Long, in Los Angeles, on May 1, 2024.(Photo by Shay Horse/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
A Pro-Palestinian protestor clashes with a pro-Israeli supporter at an encampment at UCLA early Wednesday morning. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Counter protesters attack a pro-Palestinian encampment set up on the campus of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) as clashes erupt, in Los Angeles on May 1, 2024. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP)
A pro-Palestinian protester takes shelter behind a barricade amid clashes at a pro-Palestinian encampment set up on the campus of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), in Los Angeles on May 1, 2024. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP)
Israeli Protesters Laid Siege On The UCLA Gaza Support Camp For Over 4 Hours. The Israeli Protesters Used Make Shift Weapons, Chemical Weapons And Fireworks To Assault The Camp All Night Long, in Los Angeles, on May 1, 2024.(Photo by Shay Horse/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
A pro-Palestinian protester (L) and a counter protester talk amid clashes at a pro-Palestinian encampment set up on the campus of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), in Los Angeles on May 1, 2024. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – May 1: Pro-Palestinian protestors and pro-Israeli supporters clash at an encampment at UCLA early Wednesday morning. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – May 1: Pro-Palestinian protestors and pro-Israeli supporters clash at an encampment at UCLA early Wednesday morning. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
UCLA Clash. April 30, 2024. (Photo by Shay Horse/NurPhoto via Getty ImaUCLA Clash. April 30, 2024. (Photo by Shay Horse/NurPhoto via Getty Images)ges)
Israeli Protesters Laid Siege On The UCLA Gaza Support Camp For Over 4 Hours. The Israeli Protesters Used Make Shift Weapons, Chemical Weapons And Fireworks To Assault The Camp All Night Long, in Los Angeles, on May 1, 2024.(Photo by Shay Horse/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Israeli Protesters Laid Siege On The UCLA Gaza Support Camp For Over 4 Hours. The Israeli Protesters Used Make Shift Weapons, Chemical Weapons And Fireworks To Assault The Camp All Night Long, in Los Angeles, on May 1, 2024.(Photo by Shay Horse/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
TOPSHOT – Pro-Palestinian demonstrators regroup and rebuild the barricade surrounding the encampment set up on the campus of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) as clashes erupt with counter protesters, in Los Angeles on May 1, 2024. Clashes broke out on May 1, 2024 around pro-Palestinian demonstrations at the University of California, Los Angeles, US television media footage showed, as universities around the United States struggle to contain similar protests on dozens of campuses. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP) (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images)
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators engulfed in tear gas regroup and rebuild the barricade surrounding the encampment set up on the campus of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) as clashes erupt with counter protesters, in Los Angeles on May 1, 2024. Clashes broke out on May 1, 2024 around pro-Palestinian demonstrations at the University of California, Los Angeles, as universities around the United States struggle to contain similar protests on dozens of campuses. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP) (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images)
A counter protester throws a fence at pro-Palestinian protesters next to their encampment set up on on the campus of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), as clashes erupt in Los Angeles on May 1, 2024. Clashes broke out on May 1, 2024 around pro-Palestinian demonstrations at the University of California, Los Angeles, as universities around the United States struggle to contain similar protests on dozens of campuses. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP) (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images)
Los Angeles, CA – April 30: A Pro- Palestine group member receives aid from people as be bleeds out from the side of his head out after a scuffle with the pro-Israel group at UCLA on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Los Angeles, CA. (Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Los Angeles, CA – April 30: Barricades surround the encampment for the Pro-Palestine group as a member, right, is punched by a pro-Israel group member, left, at UCLA on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Los Angeles, CA. (Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Los Angeles, CA – April 30: A Pro-Israel group member has milk put on his face after being either pepper sprayed or tear gassed from the pro-Israel group at UCLA on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Los Angeles, CA. (Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
US Police officers stand guard near a pro-Palestinian encampment set up on the campus of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), after clashes erupted in Los Angeles on May 1, 2024. Clashes broke out on May 1, 2024 around pro-Palestinian demonstrations at the University of California, Los Angeles, as universities around the United States struggle to contain similar protests on dozens of campuses. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP) (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images)
US Police officers stand guard after clashes erupted on the campus of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), in Los Angeles on May 1, 2024. Clashes broke out on May 1, 2024 around pro-Palestinian demonstrations at the University of California, Los Angeles, as universities around the United States struggle to contain similar protests on dozens of campuses. (Photo by Frederic J. Brown / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
Police officers face protesters as they stand guard after clashes on the campus of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), in Los Angeles on May 1, 2024. (Frederic J. Brown / AFP)
Los Angeles, CA – April 30: Apex Security Group members watch on during the Pro-Palestine and Pro-Israel group have altercations at UCLA on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Los Angeles, CA. (Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Los Angeles, CA – April 30: Barricades surround the encampment for the Pro- Palestine group as the pro-Israel group grabs the front barricades at UCLA on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Los Angeles, CA. (Michael Blackshire / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Israeli Protesters Laid Siege On The UCLA Gaza Support Camp For Over 4 Hours. The Israeli Protesters Used Make Shift Weapons, Chemical Weapons And Fireworks To Assault The Camp All Night Long, in Los Angeles, on May 1, 2024.(Photo by Shay Horse/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Counter protesters attack a pro-Palestinian encampment set up on the campus of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) as clashes erupt, in Los Angeles on May 1, 2024. Clashes broke out on May 1, 2024 around pro-Palestinian demonstrations at the University of California, Los Angeles, as universities around the United States struggle to contain similar protests on dozens of campuses. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP) (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images)
Counter protesters attack a pro-Palestinian encampment set up on the campus of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) as clashes erupt, in Los Angeles on May 1, 2024. Clashes broke out on May 1, 2024 around pro-Palestinian demonstrations at the University of California, Los Angeles, as universities around the United States struggle to contain similar protests on dozens of campuses. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP) (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images)
Counter protesters attack a pro-Palestinian encampment set up on the campus of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) as clashes erupt, in Los Angeles on May 1, 2024. Clashes broke out on May 1, 2024 around pro-Palestinian demonstrations at the University of California, Los Angeles, as universities around the United States struggle to contain similar protests on dozens of campuses. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP) (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images)
Counter protesters attack a pro-Palestinian encampment set up on the campus of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) as clashes erupt, in Los Angeles on May 1, 2024. Clashes broke out on May 1, 2024 around pro-Palestinian demonstrations at the University of California, Los Angeles, as universities around the United States struggle to contain similar protests on dozens of campuses. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP) (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images)
A counter protester shouts at pro-Palestinian protesters at a pro-Palestinian encampment set up on the campus of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) as clashes erupt, in Los Angeles on May 1, 2024. Clashes broke out on May 1, 2024 around pro-Palestinian demonstrations at the University of California, Los Angeles, as universities around the United States struggle to contain similar protests on dozens of campuses. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP) (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images)
US Police officers stand guard near a pro-Palestinian encampment set up on the campus of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), after clashes erupted in Los Angeles on May 1, 2024. Clashes broke out on May 1, 2024 around pro-Palestinian demonstrations at the University of California, Los Angeles, as universities around the United States struggle to contain similar protests on dozens of campuses. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP) (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – May 1: Pro-Palestinian protestors protect themselves from pro-Israeli supporters next at an the encampment at UCLA early Wednesday morning. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – May 1: Pro-Palestinian protestors defend themselves against a pro-Israeli supporter at an encampment at UCLA early Wednesday morning. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – May 1: Pro-Palestinian protestors and pro-Israeli supporters clash at an encampment at UCLA early Wednesday morning. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
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The encampment, which first emerged last Thursday, has been the site of heated debates, shouting matches and occasional skirmishes. However, the overnight violence marked a serious escalation and law enforcement was slow to respond.
News reporters and photographers observed several injuries on both sides of the conflict, none of which appeared to be serious. No arrests were reported.
The violence prompted the university to cancel all classes on Wednesday.
In a statement Wednesday, the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles said it was “appalled” by the actions of the agitators.
“The abhorrent actions of a few counter-protestors last night do not represent the Jewish community or our values. We believe in peaceful, civic discourse,” the statement read. “Unfortunately, the violence at UCLA is a result of the lack of leadership from the Chancellor and the UCLA administration.”
“The violence that occurred overnight at UCLA is unacceptable,” said L.A. County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath (Third District). “I am in close contact with UCLA administrators, LA County’s Office of Emergency Management, and Sheriff Luna, and am working to convene leaders to find lasting solutions for all. For safety to truly be a priority, we must take thoughtful and appropriate steps to protect it. The UCLA community deserves nothing less.”
