Massachusetts Hall during a protest.

In Photos: 8 Months of Protests Over the War in Gaza

Since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, the Israel-Hamas war has unmasked deep campus divisions over Israel and Palestine. In this photo essay, the Crimson’s multimedia staff looks back at the past eight months of protests and vigils that have rocked campus.

Harvard affiliates light candles on the steps of Widener Library at a vigil for victims of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel. More than 200 people attended the vigil, which began with a moment of prayer for the Israeli lives lost followed by speeches from Harvard Hillel and Chabad religious leaders and students with friends and families affected by the attacks. The vigil concluded with attendees joining arms to sing traditional Jewish songs together.

Oct. 8, 2023

Harvard affiliates light candles on the steps of Widener Library at a vigil for victims of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel. More than 200 people attended the vigil, which began with a moment of prayer for the Israeli lives lost followed by speeches from Harvard Hillel and Chabad religious leaders and students with friends and families affected by the attacks. The vigil concluded with attendees joining arms to sing traditional Jewish songs together.

Julian J. Giordano
Passers-by observe a billboard truck digitally displaying the names and faces of students allegedly affiliated with student groups that signed onto a controversial statement blaming Israel for the Oct. 7 attacks.

Oct. 12, 2023

Passers-by observe a billboard truck digitally displaying the names and faces of students allegedly affiliated with student groups that signed onto a controversial statement blaming Israel for the Oct. 7 attacks.

Julian J. Giordano
Hundreds of Harvard students and affiliates gather in the Sever Quadrangle for a silent vigil to mourn civilian deaths in Gaza and Israel and stand in solidarity with Palestine.

Oct. 12, 2023

Hundreds of Harvard students and affiliates gather in the Sever Quadrangle for a silent vigil to mourn civilian deaths in Gaza and Israel and stand in solidarity with Palestine.

Julian J. Giordano
More than 1,000 demonstrators rally on the steps of Widener Library in Harvard Yard in support of Gaza. The protest came ahead of an expected ground invasion by Israel, and attendees condemned the University for a lack of support of Palestinian students and complicity in what they called Israeli “genocide.”

Oct. 14, 2023

More than 1,000 demonstrators rally on the steps of Widener Library in Harvard Yard in support of Gaza. The protest came ahead of an expected ground invasion by Israel, and attendees condemned the University for a lack of support of Palestinian students and complicity in what they called Israeli “genocide.”

Julian J. Giordano
After the rally dispersed, more than 150 attendees took to the streets of Harvard Square in an unplanned protest. The protesters gathered in front of Smith Campus Center, chanting “occupation is a crime, free Palestine in our time” and “ceasefire now” before disbanding.

Oct. 14, 2023

After the rally dispersed, more than 150 attendees took to the streets of Harvard Square in an unplanned protest. The protesters gathered in front of Smith Campus Center, chanting “occupation is a crime, free Palestine in our time” and “ceasefire now” before disbanding.

Julian J. Giordano
More than 1,000 people gather by the steps of Widener Library for a vigil to stand in solidarity with Israel and mourn the civilian deaths of the Oct. 7 attacks. The vigil was jointly organized by Harvard Hillel and Harvard Chabad, and included speeches, songs, and chants.

Oct. 15, 2023

More than 1,000 people gather by the steps of Widener Library for a vigil to stand in solidarity with Israel and mourn the civilian deaths of the Oct. 7 attacks. The vigil was jointly organized by Harvard Hillel and Harvard Chabad, and included speeches, songs, and chants.

Julian J. Giordano
Hundreds of Harvard students and affiliates march to Harvard Business School, where they staged a “die-in” to demand an end to violence in Gaza and express solidarity with Palestine following the al-Ahli Baptist Hospital blast.

Oct. 18, 2023

Hundreds of Harvard students and affiliates march to Harvard Business School, where they staged a “die-in” to demand an end to violence in Gaza and express solidarity with Palestine following the al-Ahli Baptist Hospital blast.

Addison Y. Liu
At the Business School, protesters hold up signs reading “Justice for Gaza,” “Ceasefire Now,” and “Hold Harvard Accountable For Supporting Genocide.”

Oct. 18, 2023

At the Business School, protesters hold up signs reading “Justice for Gaza,” “Ceasefire Now,” and “Hold Harvard Accountable For Supporting Genocide.”

Joey Huang
Protesters hold a banner reading “Stop the Genocide in Gaza” in front of Wasserstein Hall at Harvard Law School. Around 500 protesters supporting Palestine walked out of class and marched through multiple Harvard schools in the third protest on campus in support of Palestine following the start of the war in Israel and Gaza.

Oct. 24, 2023

Protesters hold a banner reading “Stop the Genocide in Gaza” in front of Wasserstein Hall at Harvard Law School. Around 500 protesters supporting Palestine walked out of class and marched through multiple Harvard schools in the third protest on campus in support of Palestine following the start of the war in Israel and Gaza.

Julian J. Giordano
More than 150 Harvard affiliates mourn the deaths of Palestinian children in a vigil by the steps of Widener Library organized by the Harvard Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee and Graduate Students 4 Palestine.

Oct. 24, 2023

More than 150 Harvard affiliates mourn the deaths of Palestinian children in a vigil by the steps of Widener Library organized by the Harvard Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee and Graduate Students 4 Palestine.

Joey Huang
Parents watch a “die-in” demonstration staged by more than 100 students in front of Memorial Hall during welcome remarks for Family Weekend. Students participated in the demonstration to protest what they described as Harvard’s lack of support for Palestinian students during the ongoing war in Israel and Gaza.

Oct. 27, 2023

Parents watch a “die-in” demonstration staged by more than 100 students in front of Memorial Hall during welcome remarks for Family Weekend. Students participated in the demonstration to protest what they described as Harvard’s lack of support for Palestinian students during the ongoing war in Israel and Gaza.

Julian J. Giordano
A protester participating holds a sign reading “Harvard call it genocide!” at the die-in. The protest came as Israel announced an expansion of its ground operations in Gaza.

Oct. 27, 2023

A protester participating holds a sign reading “Harvard call it genocide!” at the die-in. The protest came as Israel announced an expansion of its ground operations in Gaza.

Julian J. Giordano
Dozens of Harvard affiliates stage a sit-in at the Science Center Plaza to mourn Palestinian victims of the Israel-Hamas war and protest the bombing of Jabalia Refugee Camp in northern Gaza by Israeli forces.

Nov. 2, 2023

Dozens of Harvard affiliates stage a sit-in at the Science Center Plaza to mourn Palestinian victims of the Israel-Hamas war and protest the bombing of Jabalia Refugee Camp in northern Gaza by Israeli forces.

Addison Y. Liu
Then-University President University President Claudine Gay visits a Shabbat table installed by students from Chabad and Hillel. The roughly 200-foot table ran the length of Tercentenary Theatre as a tribute to the more than 240 civilians, soldiers, and foreigners held captive by the Islamist militant group Hamas.

Nov. 3, 2023

Then-University President University President Claudine Gay visits a Shabbat table installed by students from Chabad and Hillel. The roughly 200-foot table ran the length of Tercentenary Theatre as a tribute to the more than 240 civilians, soldiers, and foreigners held captive by the Islamist militant group Hamas.

Frank S. Zhou
Demonstrators roll up a more than 140-yard-long canvas listing the names of Palestinians killed in the violence in Gaza. Hundreds of Harvard students and affiliates called attention to Palestinian deaths amid the ongoing violence in Gaza during a week of visibility hosted by the Harvard Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee and Graduate Students 4 Palestine.

Nov. 9, 2023

Demonstrators roll up a more than 140-yard-long canvas listing the names of Palestinians killed in the violence in Gaza. Hundreds of Harvard students and affiliates called attention to Palestinian deaths amid the ongoing violence in Gaza during a week of visibility hosted by the Harvard Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee and Graduate Students 4 Palestine.

Frank S. Zhou
Whiteboards, desks, and chairs make up “The School,” one of six parts of a PSC exhibition titled “Life Under the Rubble.” The daylong installation was erected in Tercentenary Theatre and included everyday items such as furniture, clothing, books, and medical equipment, all spray-painted red and damaged to “show the destruction of life and property,” according to a PSC spokesperson.

Nov. 15, 2023

Whiteboards, desks, and chairs make up “The School,” one of six parts of a PSC exhibition titled “Life Under the Rubble.” The daylong installation was erected in Tercentenary Theatre and included everyday items such as furniture, clothing, books, and medical equipment, all spray-painted red and damaged to “show the destruction of life and property,” according to a PSC spokesperson.

Frank S. Zhou
Nine student demonstrators gather on the steps of University Hall at the end of a 24-hours sit-in calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.

Nov. 17, 2023

Nine student demonstrators gather on the steps of University Hall at the end of a 24-hours sit-in calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.

Frank S. Zhou
Nine student demonstrators gather on the steps of University Hall at the end of a 24-hours sit-in calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.

Nov. 18, 2023

Harvard and Yale students stage a pro-Palestine protest during halftime at the 138th annual playing of “The Game.” Yale increased security at the Yale Bowl before the game.

Katherine A. Harvey
Dozens of demonstrators march to Massachusetts Hall from the Science Center Plaza during a pro-Palestine “week of action.” The week of action included two rallies and a protest sign-making event to call on the University to “stop its complicity in Israeli apartheid.”

Nov. 27, 2023

Dozens of demonstrators march to Massachusetts Hall from the Science Center Plaza during a pro-Palestine “week of action.” The week of action included two rallies and a protest sign-making event to call on the University to “stop its complicity in Israeli apartheid.”

Frank S. Zhou
Protesters with the African and African American Resistance Organization march through the Science Center during the pro-Palestine week of action. AFRO is an unrecognized undergraduate group formed for Black student activism.

Nov. 29, 2023

Protesters with the African and African American Resistance Organization march through the Science Center during the pro-Palestine week of action. AFRO is an unrecognized undergraduate group formed for Black student activism.

Frank S. Zhou
A truck with digital billboards reading “Fire Gay” and featuring photos from Claudine Gay testifying before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce sits parked in front of Lamont Library on Quincy Street. Gay faced dozens of calls for her resignation and was targeted by several digital billboard trucks around campus.

Dec. 10, 2023

A truck with digital billboards reading “Fire Gay” and featuring photos from Claudine Gay testifying before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce sits parked in front of Lamont Library on Quincy Street. Gay faced dozens of calls for her resignation and was targeted by several digital billboard trucks around campus.

Julian J. Giordano
During the first week of Spring semester, students wearing keffiyehs — traditional Palestinian scarves — gather on the steps of Widener library for a campaign organized by the Palestinian Solidarity Committee called Keffiyeh Thursday.

Jan. 25, 2024

During the first week of Spring semester, students wearing keffiyehs — traditional Palestinian scarves — gather on the steps of Widener library for a campaign organized by the Palestinian Solidarity Committee called Keffiyeh Thursday.

Marina Qu
Protesters hold posters drawn as checks made out to “The Israeli Apartheid State” for “Genocide Against the Palestinian People” during a pro-Palestine rally. More than 200 people marched from Cambridge Common to the home of U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), demanding for her to vote against U.S. military aid to Israel.

Feb. 11, 2024

Protesters hold posters drawn as checks made out to “The Israeli Apartheid State” for “Genocide Against the Palestinian People” during a pro-Palestine rally. More than 200 people marched from Cambridge Common to the home of U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), demanding for her to vote against U.S. military aid to Israel.

Frank S. Zhou
Nearly 200 students gather on the steps of Widener Library for a “die-in” demanding that Harvard disclose and divest its investments in companies with ties to Israeli settlements and the war in Gaza. After laying on the Widener steps, attendees recited Palestinian writer Refaat Alareer’s poem “If I Must Die” and played recordings of the names of individuals killed in Gaza.

Feb. 12, 2024

Nearly 200 students gather on the steps of Widener Library for a “die-in” demanding that Harvard disclose and divest its investments in companies with ties to Israeli settlements and the war in Gaza. After laying on the Widener steps, attendees recited Palestinian writer Refaat Alareer’s poem “If I Must Die” and played recordings of the names of individuals killed in Gaza.

Sally E. Edwards
Staff at The Sinclair, a Cambridge concert venue, protest outside the venue, boycotting a concert by Israeli artist Ishay Ribo. More than thirty Sinclair staff members — including managers, bartenders, security, and box office staffers — protested and chanted for five hours outside the concert, which was organized by Harvard Chabad to raise money for Israel.

Feb. 27, 2024

Staff at The Sinclair, a Cambridge concert venue, protest outside the venue, boycotting a concert by Israeli artist Ishay Ribo. More than thirty Sinclair staff members — including managers, bartenders, security, and box office staffers — protested and chanted for five hours outside the concert, which was organized by Harvard Chabad to raise money for Israel.

Lotem L. Loeb
More than 40 Harvard affiliates gather at Memorial Church to mourn the 30,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza in the Israel-Hamas war since early October. Organized by the Harvard Undergraduate Palestinian Solidarity Committee, the vigil saw keffiyeh-clad attendees braving the rain to light candles, read poetry, and tell stories about family and friends in Gaza.

March 5, 2024

More than 40 Harvard affiliates gather at Memorial Church to mourn the 30,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza in the Israel-Hamas war since early October. Organized by the Harvard Undergraduate Palestinian Solidarity Committee, the vigil saw keffiyeh-clad attendees braving the rain to light candles, read poetry, and tell stories about family and friends in Gaza.

Frank S. Zhou
Elom Tettey-Tamaklo, a second-year student at the Harvard Divinity School who was indefinitely relieved of his duties as a Thayer Hall proctor for his involvement in a physical confrontation at an October pro-Palestine rally, speaks at a rally in the Science Center Plaza. More than 200 Harvard affiliates rallied to denounce Harvard’s ties to the war in Gaza and to show solidarity with students who were arrested at Columbia University during pro-Palestine demonstrations.

April 19, 2024

Elom Tettey-Tamaklo, a second-year student at the Harvard Divinity School who was indefinitely relieved of his duties as a Thayer Hall proctor for his involvement in a physical confrontation at an October pro-Palestine rally, speaks at a rally in the Science Center Plaza. More than 200 Harvard affiliates rallied to denounce Harvard’s ties to the war in Gaza and to show solidarity with students who were arrested at Columbia University during pro-Palestine demonstrations.

Ike J. Park
Kojo Acheampong ’26 chants at a rally outside of MIT. Nearly 50 Harvard affiliates rallied in solidarity with an MIT “Scientists Against Genocide” encampment protest. The encampment — set up by MIT affiliates Sunday evening on Kresge Lawn — consisted of at least 15 tents with Palestinian flags and cardboard signs.

April 22, 2024

Kojo Acheampong ’26 chants at a rally outside of MIT. Nearly 50 Harvard affiliates rallied in solidarity with an MIT “Scientists Against Genocide” encampment protest. The encampment — set up by MIT affiliates Sunday evening on Kresge Lawn — consisted of at least 15 tents with Palestinian flags and cardboard signs.

Frank S. Zhou
Pro-Palestine students occupied Harvard Yard in an encampment, demanding the University sever ties with Israeli institutions and companies and protesting the College’s suspension of the Palestine Solidarity Committee. The encampment at Harvard came amid a nationwide surge of similar demonstrations across college and university campuses, including Columbia, Yale, and MIT.

April 24, 2024

Pro-Palestine students occupied Harvard Yard in an encampment, demanding the University sever ties with Israeli institutions and companies and protesting the College’s suspension of the Palestine Solidarity Committee. The encampment at Harvard came amid a nationwide surge of similar demonstrations across college and university campuses, including Columbia, Yale, and MIT.

Ike J. Park
More than 30 tents cover the lawn in front of the John Harvard statue and University Hall on the third day of the encampment. Large banners strung overheasd rerad “Liberated Zone” and “Land Back.”

April 26, 2024

More than 30 tents cover the lawn in front of the John Harvard statue and University Hall on the third day of the encampment. Large banners strung overheasd rerad “Liberated Zone” and “Land Back.”

Julian J. Giordano
Dean of the College Rakesh Khurana observes protesters at the encampment as they chant at him: “Dean Khurana you can’t hide, you are funding genocide.” Other college administrators photographed and noted the ID numbers of students who remained in the encampment after Dean of Students Thomas Dunne threatening disciplinary action.

April 26, 2024

Dean of the College Rakesh Khurana observes protesters at the encampment as they chant at him: “Dean Khurana you can’t hide, you are funding genocide.” Other college administrators photographed and noted the ID numbers of students who remained in the encampment after Dean of Students Thomas Dunne threatening disciplinary action.

Julian J. Giordano
Three Palestinian flags fly above University Hall on the fourth day of the pro-Palestine Harvard Yard encampment before Harvard police officers removed them about an hour after they were raised. A group of three protesters hoisted the flags over the John Harvard statue, where the University sometimes flies the American flag or flags of the countries of visiting foreign dignitaries.

April 27, 2024

Three Palestinian flags fly above University Hall on the fourth day of the pro-Palestine Harvard Yard encampment before Harvard police officers removed them about an hour after they were raised. A group of three protesters hoisted the flags over the John Harvard statue, where the University sometimes flies the American flag or flags of the countries of visiting foreign dignitaries.

Addison Y. Liu
A protester tapes signs to the doors of University Hall listing the demands of Harvard Out of Occupied Palestine during a rally at the Harvard Yard encampment. More than 200 pro-Palestine demonstrators rallied for Rafah and criticized the repression of student activism at universities across the country at the protest.

May 1, 2024

A protester tapes signs to the doors of University Hall listing the demands of Harvard Out of Occupied Palestine during a rally at the Harvard Yard encampment. More than 200 pro-Palestine demonstrators rallied for Rafah and criticized the repression of student activism at universities across the country at the protest.

Elyse C. Goncalves
Harvard Out of Occupied Palestine Coalition member Violet T.M. Barron ’26 addresses the press in front of Johnston Gate hours after interim Harvard President Alan M. Garber ’76 announced that students would face involuntary leave for continuing to sustain the encampment. Barron, a Crimson Editorial editor, had stayed at the encampment for 13 days at the time of the press conference.

May 6, 2024

Harvard Out of Occupied Palestine Coalition member Violet T.M. Barron ’26 addresses the press in front of Johnston Gate hours after interim Harvard President Alan M. Garber ’76 announced that students would face involuntary leave for continuing to sustain the encampment. Barron, a Crimson Editorial editor, had stayed at the encampment for 13 days at the time of the press conference.

Frank S. Zhou
A pro-Palestine protester partially climbs Johnston Gate from within Harvard Yard to watch more than 200 people rally outside the Yard. The rally came one day after Harvard administrators placed 20 students on involuntary leave for participating in the encampment.

May 11, 2024

A pro-Palestine protester partially climbs Johnston Gate from within Harvard Yard to watch more than 200 people rally outside the Yard. The rally came one day after Harvard administrators placed 20 students on involuntary leave for participating in the encampment.

Addison Y. Liu
Protesters dismantle the Harvard Yard encampment after Harvard Out of Occupied Palestine announced they had reached an agreement with the University to end the encampment in exchange for reversing involuntary leaves of absence and holding conversations with University leadership around divestment. The end of the encampment paved the way for Commencement to proceed as planned.

May 14, 2024

Protesters dismantle the Harvard Yard encampment after Harvard Out of Occupied Palestine announced they had reached an agreement with the University to end the encampment in exchange for reversing involuntary leaves of absence and holding conversations with University leadership around divestment. The end of the encampment paved the way for Commencement to proceed as planned.

Jina H. Choe
Harvard Yard Operations employees tear up the grass where the encampment stood and work the soil before laying down new grass ahead of the May 23 Commencement ceremony.

May 15, 2024

Harvard Yard Operations employees tear up the grass where the encampment stood and work the soil before laying down new grass ahead of the May 23 Commencement ceremony.

Julian J. Giordano
Acheampong speaks at a rally outside the house of interim Harvard President Alan M. Garber ’76. At the rally — which drew more than 200 Harvard students, affiliates, and local residents — HOOP warned University administrators to prepare for disruptions to Thursday’s Commencement ceremonies.

May 19, 2024

Acheampong speaks at a rally outside the house of interim Harvard President Alan M. Garber ’76. At the rally — which drew more than 200 Harvard students, affiliates, and local residents — HOOP warned University administrators to prepare for disruptions to Thursday’s Commencement ceremonies.

Julian J. Giordano
From above, patches of dirt where the tents of the encampment used to stand are visible on the lawn in front of the John Harvard statue and University Hall.

May 14, 2024

From above, patches of dirt where the tents of the encampment used to stand are visible on the lawn in front of the John Harvard statue and University Hall.

Marina Qu