On the anniversary of Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel, the words "intifada" and "coward" were spray painted on the suburban Detroit home owned by University of Michigan President Santa Ono. The chief investment officer of the university, Erik Lundberg, also had his home vandalized.

"Intifada" is the Arabic term for uprising, often used to describe Palestinian protests against Israel. The university confirmed that the home's owner is Ono; his official school residency is separate from the house.

The vandalism came as students held dual demonstrations to mark the anniversary of the Oct.7 Hamas attack. A university community member was arrested, and students were pepper sprayed during a pro-Palestine protest, according to the Michigan Daily.

According to the Associated Press, pro-Palestinian groups have criticized Ono and the university's governing board for failing to remove investments associated with Israel. The institution has argued that it has less than $15 million invested in funds that may include Israeli corporations and no direct investments, representing less than 0.1% of the university's entire endowment.

The vandalism was described as "yet another assaultive act of intimidation by the antisemitic mob" by Board of Regents member Mark Bernstein.

Last spring, mask-wearing protestors set up tents and fake, bloody corpses outside a regent's house. And in August, four pro-Palestinian protestors were arrested on campus during the annual student organization and involvement fair.

Topics University of Michigan, Protests, Israel