Por Renan Filho · 2026-09-28In a spectacle that underscores the radicalization of America's progressive left, a recent event at an Ivy League institution saw democratic socialist activists, warmed up by a speech from Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), lead a crowd in the notorious anti-Israel chant, "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free." The chant, widely recognized as a call for the elimination of Israel, has been condemned by mainstream Jewish organizations and the U.S. State Department as antisemitic and a threat to the Jewish state's right to exist.
The incident occurred at Columbia University, where AOC delivered remarks on progressive causes, ostensibly as a warmup for a subsequent rally organized by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) chapter. According to video footage verified by FORTIS NEWS, shortly after AOC's departure, a DSA leader grabbed the microphone and led the crowd in the chant. The footage shows several attendees enthusiastically participating, while others visibly looked uncomfortable. Campus security intervened briefly but did not prevent further chanting.
AOC's office has not officially commented on the specific chant, but her past statements have included support for Palestinian rights, albeit often couched in terms of "human rights" and "international law." However, critics note that her repeated appearances at events where such chants occur create a permissive atmosphere. In a 2021 speech, AOC referred to Israel as an "apartheid state," a term that Jewish groups argue fuels hostility.
The rise of this chant on U.S. campuses is part of a broader trend. According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), antisemitic incidents on college campuses increased by 41% in 2024, with the most significant spike occurring after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. The ADL's annual audit recorded 228 antisemitic incidents on college campuses in 2024, up from 161 the year prior. These incidents range from harassment to physical assault, but the most common are verbal expressions, including chants like the one heard at Columbia.
This particular event is also notable because it involved a sitting U.S. congresswoman. While AOC did not directly lead the chant, her presence served as a legitimizing force for the radical faction. The DSA, which officially endorsed the chant as "an expression of solidarity with Palestinian resistance," has come under increased scrutiny for its ties to anti-Israel activism. In 2023, the DSA co-sponsored a resolution calling for a boycott of Israel, aligning with the BDS movement.
Security experts point out that such rhetoric has real-world consequences. The Jewish Federation of North America's CEO, Eric Fingerhut, warned, "This is not a matter of political disagreement. This is dehumanization that leads to violence. Jewish students are being terrorized on campuses, and faculty are afraid to speak." In a separate incident at the same university, a Jewish student was physically assaulted during a pro-Palestinian protest in April 2024, according to a police report.
The Columbia event also drew criticism from Republican lawmakers. Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) tweeted, "AOC is the pied piper of campus antisemitism. Her presence emboldens the radicals who want Israel wiped off the map. This must end." Meanwhile, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) stated that he would investigate whether federal funding to Columbia should be conditioned on the university's response to antisemitic incidents.
FORTIS ANALYSIS: This incident reveals a dangerous fusion of progressive identity politics with anti-Western ideology. The chant is not a mere slogan; it is a genocidal call that denies Israel's existence. When a prominent figure like AOC shares a platform with individuals who later espouse such rhetoric, she becomes complicit in normalizing hatred. The liberal-conservative perspective holds that freedom of speech is vital, but incitement to violence and ethnic hatred is not protected. University administrations have a duty to ensure a safe learning environment, yet many have capitulated to mob rule. The security dimension is clear: allowing unchecked antisemitism on campuses erodes the moral fabric that sustains a free society. We urge university presidents to enforce existing codes of conduct and bar speakers who promote such rhetoric. Furthermore, the federal government should tie Title IV funding to a demonstrable commitment to protecting Jewish students. Silence is not neutrality; it is complicity.