At Harvard University, an anti-Israel protest was met with an unexpected response when a group of South Korean Christians decided to intervene with a message of support for Israel. Led by Pastor Joseph Kim, the Newsong Worship Teens used worship music and speeches to disrupt the protest, advocating for peace and challenging the anti-Israel sentiments expressed by the university students.
The protest, which had been organized by several anti-Israel groups, found itself overshadowed by the Korean group’s loud music and declarations of support for Israel. Pastor Kim criticized Harvard for its liberal stance and claimed his group’s presence aimed to bring healing to the institution.
This confrontation comes amid increasing scrutiny of Harvard’s handling of anti-Semitic incidents and its response to Hamas’ attacks. The university has faced criticism, including legal action from Jewish students alleging that Harvard has failed to protect them from harassment and has been selectively enforcing policies.
The anti-Israel protestors’ use of the phrase “from the river to the sea,” which is widely interpreted as a call for the elimination of Israel, has sparked controversy and was previously questioned by Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) in a congressional hearing with Harvard’s former president, Claudine Gay.
Pastor Kim expressed concern over the students’ apparent support for violence and criticized their solidarity with movements and regimes that suppress freedom, drawing parallels between the support for Hamas and the oppressive North Korean regime.
The Newsong Worship Teens’ counter-protest was documented and shared on their YouTube channel, capturing their efforts to voice their stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict and challenge the narratives presented by the anti-Israel protestors at Harvard.