Jewish activist attacked at University of Michigan event

A University of Michigan student assaulted Jewish conservative activist Liz Benichou during a political event on the Ann Arbor campus on Sunday, according to video footage and police statements. The confrontation began near a booth run by conservative organizers that displayed questions about Islam, prompting the student to challenge the participants and demand permission for the gathering.

Benichou, who was attending the event organized by the youth group Liberty Under Fire USA, responded to the student's remarks about clothing and asked a rhetorical question about treatment in Iran. The student then threw her phone, lunged at Benichou, shoved her to the ground and attempted to kick her. A campus police officer intervened, restraining the attacker, who continued to shout threats, including "I should have killed you when I had the chance," even after being handcuffed.

University of Michigan Police confirmed officers were called shortly before 5 p.m. to an unauthorized event and witnessed the assault. The student was arrested, processed and released pending further legal action. Police said no injuries were reported, though Benichou's manager, Taylor Sharp, said she suffered a lower-back injury from the fall and plans to pursue criminal charges.

Benichou posted that she was in a safe location receiving treatment and thanked the officers for their protection, stating that political violence has no place in the United States.