WATCH: Jewish pro-Trump activist assaulted, threatened with death at Michigan university
A Jewish conservative activist was assaulted and threatened with death by a student at the University of Michigan's Ann Arbor campus on Sunday, during a confrontation at a political event organized by conservative activists, according to videos circulated on social media and accounts published by US media outlets.
"I should have killed you when I had the chance," the student shouted at Jewish activist Liz Benichou as police officers escorted her to a patrol car following the attack.
The violent incident, which was captured in videos shared on social media, sparked outrage among conservative activists amid continuing debate over antisemitism at US universities.
Benichou, a Jewish political activist associated with US President Donald Trump's MAGA movement, was knocked to the ground by a student who had confronted participants at a political event on campus. A police officer at the scene intervened and arrested the attacker.
The confrontation began near a booth set up by conservative activists, displaying signs posing questions such as "Is Islam compatible with Western values?" and "Is Islam evil?"
Student attacks Benichou during confrontation
The student confronted those present, accused them of holding anti-Muslim views, and demanded to know whether they had obtained permission to hold the event.
Benichou, who had arrived on campus as part of an event organized by the conservative youth organization Liberty Under Fire USA, joined the argument.
According to footage published by Mediaite, Benichou commented on the student's clothing and asked, "Am I wrong? If she walked around like that in Iran, what would happen to her?"
Following the remarks, the student threw down the phone she was holding, lunged at Benichou, shoved her with both hands, and knocked her to the ground.
She also attempted to kick Benichou as another person tried to pull her away.
"Don't fucking talk to me like that," the attacker shouted before attempting to approach Benichou again.
A University of Michigan police officer who was at the scene intervened and restrained the student.
Videos show her resisting arrest while continuing to shout and curse. Even after being handcuffed, she continued making violent statements directed at Benichou.
"I would do it again every time," she shouted before threatening to kill her: "I should have killed you when I had the chance."
When a bystander asked whether she was joking, she replied that she was not.
Police confirm arrest as Benichou reports injury
The University of Michigan Police Department confirmed in a statement provided to the British newspaper the Daily Mail that officers were called shortly before 5 p.m. to an unauthorized event on campus.
"As the group was preparing to leave, officers witnessed a University of Michigan student assault a woman who is not affiliated with the university," police said.
The student was arrested, processed by police, and subsequently released pending a decision on whether to issue a warrant and file charges against her.
Police said no injuries had been reported to them.
However, Taylor Sharp, Benichou's manager and CEO of Liberty Under Fire USA, told Mediaite that she had suffered an injury to her lower back as a result of the fall.
According to Sharp, the attacker continued attempting to reach Benichou even after being pulled away, and Benichou intends to pursue criminal charges against her.
Benichou, who describes herself on social media as a "proud Jewish woman" and displays an Israeli flag alongside her profile description, announced following the incident that she was in a safe location and receiving treatment.
"Political violence has no place in the United States," she wrote, thanking the police officers who acted to protect her.
She added that attempts to intimidate or silence her would not succeed.
In a separate post, Benichou criticized the radical Left and accused it of engaging in violence.
The incident occurred just two days before the US midterm elections, amid a heated Senate race in Michigan between Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed and Republican candidate Mike Rogers.
Conservative activist Cam Higby, who published one of the videos of the incident, claimed that the attacker was a supporter of El-Sayed.
However, the student's alleged political affiliation has not been independently verified, and no evidence has been published linking her to the Democratic candidate's election campaign.
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