Upset about the screening of a film they viewed as propaganda for a foreign military, the students were also protesting the presence of several IDF representatives who were holding a panel discussion at the screening.

That student protest has since become the subject of intense controversy. The school's chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine is now facing the possibility of being banned from the campus. In addition, a legal representative for some of the students involved in the protest, Tarek Shawky, told The Intercept that the students were informed by the university that their cases have been referred to the district attorney for criminal investigation.

The day after the event, the school's chancellor released a statement accusing student protestors of "crossing the line of civility." In his statement, posted on the school website, Chancellor Howard Gillman said that "while this university will protect freedom of speech, that right is not absolute," adding that the school would examine possible legal and administrative charges against the protestors. News reports cited claims that attendees at the film had been intimidated and blocked from exiting the event.