GOP Senate candidate's volunteerattacked by anti-Israel protester on University of Pittsburgh campus

A campaign volunteer for US Senate candidate Dave McCormick was attacked by an anti-Israel protester on the University of Pittsburgh campus Sunday afternoon.

McCormick (R-Penn) shared a clip of the attack and confirmed the volunteer being assaulted was a Jewish student at the university.

The student, Reuben Rochkind, is seen standing in front of the masked assailant, holding up an American flag, when hes yanked by his backpack into the fence and then held by the neck. 4 A campaign volunteer for US Senate candidate Dave McCormick is seen being grabbed by an anti-Israel protester Tuesday on the University of Pittsburgh campus. WTAE

Rochkind broke free from his attackers grasp before the clip ended.

It caught me off guard, Rochkind told the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle. I was definitely not expecting that to happen.

Anti-Israel demonstrators created an encampment on the grounds of Pitts Cathedral of Learning on Sunday evening before they were ordered to disperse two days later.

The Pitt student said he was at the encampment with friends to speak with the protestors, but their leaders would not let them talk.

I believe America has a lot of good values, like freedom of speech and the freedom to protest, he said. The protestors are out there and theyre, in my opinion, anti-Western and anti-American. 4 Reuben Rochkind is seen standing in front of the masked assailant, holding up an American flag, when hes yanked by his backpack into the fence and then held by the neck. WTAE 4 Rochkind broke free from his attackers grasp before the clip ended. WTAE 4 Republican Senate candidate Dave McCormick speaks during a roundtable event with business owners at the Markets at Hanover, Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Penn Township. Harrison Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK

McCormick called out the assault on X and his Democrat opponent, Sen. Bob Casey.

One of my great volunteers was attacked by pro-Hamas supporters on Pitts campus, McCormick wrote on X, along with the video. Hes a Jewish student who was wearing a McCormick hat & proudly waving the American flag.

The GOP hopeful, who is running for a seat in his home state of Pennsylvania, called the incident a disgusting display of antisemitism.

Bob Casey needs to stand up & defend his Jewish constituents, he stated.