In the ongoing conflict between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian protesters at UCLA, the pro-Palestinian side has caused a new target of ridicule for their opponents: bananas.
In response, pro-Israel protesters have switched up their tactics by waving and eating bananas during a recent counter-protest on Friday, as reported by UCLA’s Daily Bruin.
The initial pro-Palestine encampment at UCLA’s Dickinson Plaza was formed on Thursday, with the intention of calling for the university to divest from companies associated with the Israeli military and sever ties with the LAPD, in addition to a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The encampment has prompted a call for help from students, faculty, alumni, and outside organizations to provide food for the protesters, as many are refusing to leave the area.
However, an interesting twist to the story emerged when it was revealed that one of the pro-Palestine protesters had a severe banana allergy.
Upon learning this information, pro-Israel counter-protesters were spotted waving bananas near the encampment on Friday. One student was even seen eating a banana while draped in an Israeli flag.
According to a post by a Twitter user, the counter-protesters were aware of the allergy and decided to use it as a humorous tactic to defy the pro-Palestine encampment. However, it has been reported that some pro-Palestine protesters claimed that they felt threatened by the banana waving and that they were being targeted because of the allergy.
Third-year political science doctoral student, Vincent Doehr, stated that some counter-protesters were even threatening to sexually assault a student with a banana after learning about the allergy. This type of behavior is not acceptable and only adds fuel to the fire in an already tense situation.
However, this incident is just one of several that occurred between Israeli and Palestinian supporters over the weekend at UCLA, as similar conflicts are taking place on college campuses nationwide.
While the actions of the pro-Israel, banana-wielding protesters may not have been the most appropriate, it highlights the fact that pro-Palestinian protesters are constantly searching for excuses to paint themselves as victims.
To equate the act of waving bananas with waving machine guns is an exaggerated jump that does little to help their cause. It only serves to make them appear weak and incapable of engaging in a reasonable discussion.
The pro-Palestinian side has already caused controversy with their inflammatory rhetoric and actions, such as chanting for the death of Jews and the destruction of Israel. Now, instead of attending their classes, they have chosen to create an encampment on campus and shout until their demands are met.
There was a protestor in the liberated zone at @UCLA with a potentially fatal banana allergy. Counterprotestors invaded the encampment and saw all the no bananas warnings. The next day they came back waving bananas like settlers waving machine guns & smeared bananas everywhere. pic.twitter.com/sPlTVnwHsu
— Linda Mamoun (@mamoun_linda) April 28, 2024
It is difficult to understand how they believe this will gain support for their cause. By constantly playing the victim and resorting to extreme measures, they only serve to alienate and further polarize the debate.
In reality, it is nearly impossible to have a productive discussion with individuals who are constantly seeking to portray themselves as victims. Pro-Palestinian protesters must realize that if they are going to dish out incendiary words and actions, they must be able to handle the same in return. Playing the victim card at every turn does not facilitate progress or understanding.
The pro-Israel counter-protesters at UCLA have cleverly used humor to defy the pro-Palestinian encampment and shed light on the absurdity of the situation. Instead of focusing on petty gestures like waving bananas, both sides should engage in meaningful dialogue and seek to understand each other’s perspectives. Only then can progress be made towards a peaceful resolution.
UCLA = another school of morons like most colleges of today.
NO dual protests on other colleges
sand monkeys love bananas.