In recent months, universities across the United States and Europe have witnessed significant pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel protests, demanding an end to the conflict in Gaza. These student-led demonstrations began in American universities and have now spread globally, reaching institutions in Mexico, France, Switzerland, Australia, and even India.
Accusations have surfaced, suggesting that Hamas and its supporters, among other organizations, are orchestrating these university protests. The General Command of the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda added fuel to these claims by issuing a statement commending the anti-Israel protests in Western universities.
In an article titled “Who is Behind the Anti-Israel Protests?” published by the Wall Street Journal, author Steven Stalinsky delves into the entities driving the recent anti-Israel protests in American universities.
Since October 7th, these demonstrations have disrupted numerous religious, national, political, and sports events in the United States. The organizers of these protests are adept at maximizing their visibility and shaping public perception. However, Stalinsky expresses frustration over the lack of focus on the protesters’ demands, which extend beyond a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas.
Stalinsky highlights the chants by protesters, including “Down with the USA” and “Qassam is coming,” referring to Hamas’s military wing. He notes that these slogans, along with flags and posters of “terrorist” organizations—Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine—have been largely ignored by the media, despite their presence in protests across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
“These organizations have expressed their support for these protests and the accompanying acts of vandalism, which have long been a crucial part of Hamas’s strategy to win hearts and minds in the West,” Stalinsky writes. He recalls that a decade ago, during the war between Israel and Gaza in July and August 2014, Hamas’s Ministry of Interior issued guidelines to social media activists on framing and explaining events to the Western audience.
Stalinsky argues that the near-identical official statements from Hamas and major jihadist groups about the protests are no coincidence. These statements appear to be talking points to pressure American and Western policymakers, seemingly achieving their intended effect.
