Protests against Israel following the conflict with Hamas mirror other social justice movements, experts say
In the aftermath of the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas, a wave of anti-Israel protests has swept across major American cities and college campuses. Rather than condemning the terrorist group responsible for the attacks, these demonstrations have focused their ire on the Jewish state. The intensity of these protests, particularly on college campuses like Harvard and New York University, has raised concerns about the motivations and tactics of the anti-Israel movement. Experts suggest that these protests bear a striking resemblance to other social justice movements, with some even calling for investigations into their organization and potential ties to foreign governments or terrorist organizations.
Pro-Hamas Agenda and the Need for Investigation
Human rights attorney Brooke Goldstein argues that the anti-Israel protesters are not genuinely pro-Palestinian but rather pro-Hamas. Goldstein calls for law enforcement officials to investigate the organization of these protests and their potential connections to foreign governments or terrorist groups. She points out the long-standing blind eye turned towards the operations of foreign governments within the United States, particularly Qatar, and their relationship with designated terrorist groups and student organizations on campuses.
Influence of Left-wing Academics
Christopher F. Rufo, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, suggests that left-wing academics who have supported violent “decolonization” movements against Jews have also promoted similar rhetoric against “whiteness.” Rufo argues that the ideology, hatred, and bloodlust seen in these movements are interconnected. He calls for a connection to be made between these movements and a collective fight against them.
Cross-sectionality and Antisemitism
Lisa Daftari, editor-in-chief of The Foreign Desk, highlights the rise of antisemitism among young people and on college campuses. She attributes this rise to the intersectionality of social justice movements that demonize Israel in order to align with various human rights causes. Daftari argues that it has become a requirement on the social justice “checklist” to condemn Israel. She also emphasizes the diversity within Israel, debunking the portrayal of the country as solely white and privileged.
Support for Hamas and the Black Lives Matter Connection
Representative Brad Sherman suggests that some anti-Israel protesters are being “duped” into supporting Hamas terrorism. He points out that Hamas’s objective was to attack and kill Israelis, followed by regrouping and repeating the attacks. Pastor Dumisani Washington, founder of the Institute for Black Solidarity with Israel, criticizes Black Lives Matter chapters for supporting Hamas terrorism against Israeli civilians. He argues that using the deaths of individuals in the United States to demonize Israel is a form of evil. Washington questions how celebrating violence against Israel defends the people of Gaza.
The Role of George Floyd’s Murder
The leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Yahya Sinwar, used the murder of George Floyd to draw a far-fetched comparison to Israel. Sinwar claimed that the same racist ideology that killed Floyd is being used by Israel against the Palestinians. This rhetoric attempts to paint Israel as a racist oppressor, similar to the police officer responsible for Floyd’s death.
Conclusion:
The anti-Israel movement that has emerged in the wake of the conflict with Hamas shares similarities with other social justice movements. Experts argue that these protests are not truly pro-Palestinian but rather pro-Hamas, and they call for investigations into their organization and potential ties to foreign governments or terrorist organizations. The influence of left-wing academics, the cross-sectionality of social justice movements, and the connection to Black Lives Matter all contribute to the rise of antisemitism and the demonization of Israel. As the world grapples with the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it is essential to critically examine the motivations and tactics of these protests.
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