Arizona taxpayers — in part — provided the space this week for anti-Israel rallies on the Arizona State University campus.
A group called Students for Justice in Palestine held the rally on Thursday as part of a national “Day of Resistance” at Arizona State University in Tempe, five days after Palestinian terrorist group Hamas’ barbaric attack on Israel.
The national chapter of the leftist SJP posted a “call for action” on Sunday as Israelis were dealing with the devastation of more than 1,000 civilians murdered and taken hostage by Hamas. Campuses from New York to California reportedly responded to the call for demonstrations for Palestine, against Israel, and — by proxy — for Hamas.
A similar SJP event scheduled for The University of Arizona in Tucson was canceled.
According to social media posts, organizers called on students “to demonstrate in support of Palestinians and to demand that the US government and University of Arizona disinvest from Israeli apartheid and violence against the Palestinian people.”
The liberal group said nothing about the shocking, barbaric violence committed by Hamas in the name of Palestine.
University of Arizona President Robert Robbins released a statement opposing the violence but supporting free speech on campus.
“The national organization has made statements endorsing the actions of Hamas in Israel, which are, of course, antithetical to our university’s values,” Robbins wrote.
“As a public university, we have both the obligation and the opportunity to support and defend free speech and open dialogue. We recognize that the First Amendment protects speech and demonstrations, even for ideas and opinions that most find objectionable or hateful.
“I want to be clear that SJP is not speaking on behalf of our university. But they have the constitutional right to hold their views and to express them in a safe environment.”
An estimated 200 Arizona State University students turned out for a demonstration in support of Palestine outside the Memorial Union building in Tempe.
Student Zahraa Alfatlawi, a freshman studying neuroscience, told the State Press, the campus newspaper, that she feels proud that Palestinians are being represented on campus.
“(Palestinians) have suffered through every single kind of torture and suffering. The media likes to portray it like we’re the ones terrorizing,” Alfatlawi said. She didn’t appear to note the atrocities committed by Hamas, including the slaughtering of young people at an outdoor concert.
Many of those in attendance wore face coverings to conceal their identity, with some fearing repercussions at their place of employment, in their day-to-day lives, and for their safety, the newspaper reported.
Students for Justice in Palestine leaders did not return a request for comment, but the Arizona State chapter has been holding events all week in solidarity with Palestine as Israel prosecutes its war against Hamas. An event at the Islamic Community Center of Tempe for the Community Circle allowed participants to channel their “emotions into poetry, artwork, or conversation to share with the community. Participate in the open mic, art/poster-making, or round table discussions. There will be tea and snacks. If you would like to make a work of art or poster, please bring the necessary sheet of paper.”
But not all was “peaceful protest” in the SJP ranks nationally.
Students accosted Fox News reporter and former Campus Reform correspondent Kassy Dillon while leaving a “Day of Resistance” rally at the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass), Campus Reform reported.
“Dillon posted video of the the end of the altercation on X. Dillon, who is Jewish, said that two students approached her and repeatedly asked her ethnicity. She was then approached by another group of students who asked for her phone number and home address,” the publication reported.
Just left the anti-Israel protest at UMass Amherst. As I was leaving, two guys kept asking me my ethnicity. When I got into my car, I was approached by a group of the protesters demanding to know my address and phone number.
— Kassy Akiva (@KassyDillon) October 12, 2023
In the video, one student can be seen asking her for her contact information “for legal reasons,” while another student films her with her phone, according to Campus Reform. She gives the student her name, to which the student replies that she will have her lawyers contact her. “Have a terrible night,” the student says before walking away.
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M.D. Kittle is the National Political Editor for The Star News Network.
Photo “Students for Justice in Palestine – Arizona State University” by Students for Justice in Palestine – Arizona State University.
