Within Our Lifetime: The NYC Org Inciting Its Activists To Violence
This new report is Canary Mission’s latest resource connecting violence against Jews in New York to incitement by Within Our Lifetime (WOL) leadership and the activists that carry out its calls to action.
Explore our NEW Interactive Report for a comprehensive understanding of Within Our Lifetime, including their events and affiliations linked to antisemitic violence in NYC. See page 2 of the report below for an explanation of the presentation features.
For more info: Within Our Lifetime Organization Page
Key Findings
- Within Our Lifetime (WOL) leadership frequently incites violence among its top activists.
- The report details 8 acts of violence occurring during or shortly after WOL rallies.
- Regular WOL rally attendees include seven anti-Israel activists awaiting trial or have been convicted: Saadah Masoud, Mohammed Othman, Mohammed Said Othman, Suleiman Othman, Mahmoud R. Musa, Waseem Awawdeh, and Faisal Elezzi.
- Six of the seven antisemitic assailants led WOL rallies alongside senior leadership.
- WOL leader Nerdeen Kiswani is behind the majority of the violent, antisemitic rhetoric.
In-Depth Findings
Within Our Lifetime Leaders & Top Activists
Within Our Lifetime (WOL) rallies are directed by their leadership team (Nerdeen Kiswani, Abdullah Akl, Dan Cione and Husam Kaid).
Violence Connected to WOL
8 acts of violence took place during or closely followed WOL rallies where activists were influenced by antisemitic chants and violent rhetoric.
May 18, 2021
1. Salem Seleiman, Saadah Masoud and Ayoub Alharbi were part of a group of anti-Israel activists that attacked two men, one of whom held an Israeli flag. Masoud also gets into an altercation with a cameraman filming the event.
May 20, 2021
2. Waseem Awawdeh, Rohaan Gill, Mohammed Othman, Ahmad Othman, Mahmoud R. Musa, and Youssef Mohamed were part of a mob attacking a pro-Israel protester in Times Square.
3. Mohammed Othman threw a lit, commercial-grade firework from the back of a pickup truck into the middle of a crowded street in the heavily-Jewish Diamond District in Manhattan. The explosive device detonated and reportedly caused burns to a woman's lower back. When the firework exploded, Othman celebrated the explosion with Waseem Awawdeh and Faisal Elezzi. Othman was arrested and charged for this act.
4. Waseem Awawdeh, Mohammed Othman, Mohammed Said Othman, Mahmoud R. Musa and Faisal Elezzi were part of a mob that attacked Joseph Borgen amidst a day of violent rioting in Manhattan. They are all subsequently arrested and charged for this act of violence.
5. Dan Cione (WOL Leader), Ahmad R. Musa, Mahmoud R. Musa and several others harassed outdoor diners at a Manhattan restaurant. Ahmad R. Musa jumped the barrier to the restaurant and assaulted and spat at diners at a Manhattan restaurant. Other protesters verbally assaulted and spat at the diners.
6. Saadah Masoud assaulted a man wearing a Star of David necklace.
December 26, 2021
7. Suleiman Othman assaulted two Jewish college students, Blake Zavadsky and Ilan Kaganovich, due to Zavadsky’s IDF sweatshirt. Othman was arrested and charged with aggravated harassment in the second degree, assault with intent to cause physical injury, menacing in the third degree, menacing in the third degree as a hate crime and assault with the intent to cause physical injury as a hate crime.
April 20, 2022
8. Saadah Masoud and Suleiman Othman led a WOL rally alongside Nerdeen Kiswani and other WOL leaders. Othman spotted a man (Matthew Greenman) wearing an Israeli flag on his back, who started walking in front of them alone. Masoud and Othman both began shouting at the man while following him. Masoud chased the man, brutally assaulted him and stole his Israeli flag. Masoud then returned to the WOL rally, and together with Suleiman Othman, he proceeded to burn the flag in the front of the crowd of WOL activists.
Acts of Violence
WOL leadership is closely linked to 7 anti-Israel activists who have either been convicted or await trial and are regular WOL rally attendees.
All five activists who assaulted Joseph Borgen on May 20th had attended WOL rallies within five days of the assault.
Waseem Awawdeh (May 15 and 18)
Mohammed Othman (May 18)
Mohammed (Said) Othman (May 15)
Mahmoud R. Musa (May 15)
Faisal Elezzi (May 18)
Saadah Masoud
Masoud is currently sentenced to an 18-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to participating in a conspiracy to commit violent hate crimes against Jews in April 2022, June 2021 and May 2021, is closely linked to WOL leader Nerdeen Kiswani.
Masoud was previously arrested on May 14, 2021, for blocking traffic during a WOL protest. He had to be restrained by multiple officers during his arrest and while being placed into a police car. During the arrest, Masoud yelled at the police: “Yeah, I’ll go to jail proudly! I’ll go to jail proudly! Allahu Akbar [God is Great]! I’ll go to jail proudly, baby! I love it!”
WOL leader, Kiswani and other WOL activists marched to the precinct where Masoud was being held to demand his release. Kiswani sat in the middle of the street with other protesters and later said through a bullhorn: “So what we’re gonna do now is chant his name, ‘Free Saadah!’” She later led the chant: “Free Saadah! Free Free Free Saadah!”
WOL leader Husam Kaid is also connected to Masoud. When Masoud assaulted Matthew Greenman, Kaid was present at the scene.
Suleiman Othman
Othman was also with Masoud prior to the assault, took Greenman’s Israeli flag and tied it around his shoe and trampled it. He later held it when it was burning.
Suleiman Othman assaulted Blake Zavadsky on December 26, 2021, and was arrested in January 2022. Despite this, Othman was welcomed to the forefront of the April 20th WOL rally, leading hundreds through Manhattan alongside Nerdeen Kiswani, Fatima Mousa Mohammed, Abdullah Akl, Dan Cione and Saadah Masoud.
Othman entered a guilty plea in May 2023, for his assault of Zavadsky, and was set to receive a sentence of “60 days in jail and three years’ probation."
Leadership and Crowd Analysis of WOL Rallies
There are three levels of involvement within WOL rallies:
- WOL leadership and top activists who join them at the front, speaking from the megaphone and leading chants.
- Activists who hold up banners and repeat the chants near the front of the protests.
- The masses who follow behind.
Case Study: April 20th WOL Rally Crowd Analysis
WOL leadership and top activists who joined the leadership to lead chants using WOL megaphones comprised 10-20 people.
Those in the front row who held up banners and repeated the chants were approximately 20 people
The leadership was a select group of individuals which included Nerdeen Kiswani, Dan Cione, Husam Kaid, Abdullah Akl, Fatima Mousa Mohammed, Saadah Masoud, Suleiman Othman and others.
Saadah Masoud, Suleiman Othman and Husam Kaid were seen at various stages of the assault on Matthew Greenman.
6 of the 7 top activists charged by the police for various acts of violence played a significant leadership role in multiple protests.
Selected examples include:
Waseem Awawdeh led anti-Israel chants from a raised platform on May 15, 2021.
Mahmoud Musa spoke through a mic and marched up front in the first row of a crowd behind a Palestinian flag leading a large crowd behind him at a WOL-organized rally on May 15, 2021.
Suleiman Othman led chants on May 11, 2021, as well as on May 18, 2021, and led a crowd at the front of a march with Nerdeen Kiswani and the WOL leadership on April 20, 2021.
Mohammed Othman burned an Israeli flag while surrounded by other anti-Israel WOL activists at a rally on May 18, 2021.
Mohammed Said Othman led anti-Israel chants from a raised platform with other anti-Israel activists at a rally organized by WOL in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, New York, on May 15, 2021.
Saadah Masoud
May 11, 2021: Masoud led a crowd in chanting: “From the River to the Sea! Palestine will be Free!”
May 14, 2021: Masoud was arrested for blocking traffic and Nerdeen led the entire WOL rally to protest outside the precinct where he was being held.
May 15, 2021: At a WOL rally, Masoud was lifted above the crowd and responded to chants led by Nerdeen Kiswani of “We will free Palestine! Within our lifetime!” as well as “There is only one Solution... Intifada revolution!”
May 18, 2021: Masoud joined Nerdeen Kiswani and other activists in standing on one of the lion statues outside the New York Public Library, where they set off smoke canisters at a WOL rally.
June 11, 2021: Masoud burned an Israeli flag in front of a large crowd during a WOL rally outside Rockefeller Center.
July 31, 2021: Masoud burned [slide 10] an Israeli flag at a WOL rally.
April 20, 2022: Saadah Masoud led a crowd at the front of a march with Nerdeen Kiswani and the WOL leadership.
5 Examples of Nerdeen Kiswani’s Incitement
1. Kiswani played the antisemitic, pro-terror song “Odrob Odrob Tel Aviv [Strike A Blow At Tel Aviv]” at a WOL rally in Brooklyn and sang along to it. The lyrics celebrate missile attacks on Israel: “Oh Fajr missile, explode in the Knesset [Israeli parliament] and the army base. Allah Akbar, Allah Akbar – terrorize Tel Aviv.”
- May 8th, 2021; As of September 2022, WOL included the song as part of their “Rally Toolkit.”
2. “We need allies who are going to help us achieve a victory, not allies who are going to tell us to be non-violent!”
- May 11, 2021
3. “We marched today, we took over the streets and we visited multiple Zionist settler foundations. Multiple. We let them know we know where they’re at. We know where they work. We’re gonna find out more about where they’re at too. And we’re gonna go after them.”
- June 11, 2021
- July 31, 2021, after fireworks were lit at a WOL rally
5. “Palestinians are resisting colonization by any means necessary, we must do the same here in New York City. We have to up the stakes!”
- September 17, 2021
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No Regrets of Violence
WOL leadership and top activists regularly express a desire to commit violent acts and have shown no remorse since they have been exposed:
Salem Suleiman wrote on Instagram, “Every Punch Felt Better Than The Last”
Saadah Masoud speaking on a podcast of fellow WOL activist Anas Shuaib. Masoud said, “There’s no talking to them [Zionists], there’s no fighting with love, fighting with peace. Because at the end of the day, sometimes people learn with a punch in they mouth. You know what I’m saying? Sometimes, after that, they wake up.”
Waseem Awawdeh, after being arrested for his part in the brutal beating of Joseph Borgen, reportedly said to his jailer, “If I could do it again, I would do it again.”
When Awawdeh was released on bail on May 23, 2021, and Musa on June 9, 2021, they were greeted by Saadah Masoud and other activists cheering them on. [Mohammed Said Othman also greets Awawdeh lifting him on his shoulders.]
Suleiman Othman is accepted at the forefront of April 20, 2022, WOL rally despite his recent arrest for an antisemitic hate crime.
Within Our Lifetime Activists
Nerdeen Kiswani [Nerdeen Mohsen] has called for the death of Zionists and for Israel’s destruction and spread incitement to violence as the chairperson of Within Our Lifetime (WOL), an anti-Israel activist group in New York City.
Fatima Mohammed justified Hamas terrorism against civilians and called for Israel’s destruction, She glorified terrorists, called for Israel’s destruction and celebrated violence.
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Abdullah Akl has expressed support for terrorists and has called for intifada. He has expressed hatred of Israel and Zionism and called for Israel’s destruction.
Husam Kaid has spread anti-Semitism, promoted incitement and celebrated intifada violence as a leading activist for Within Our Lifetime (WOL), an anti-Israel group in New York City, since 2019.
Dan Cione [Daniel Paul Cione] joined a mob that attacked Jewish diners as well as a mob that fled from the police during a violent anti-Israel counterprotest in 2021. Cione has promoted intifada, glorified terrorists, disrupted Holocaust-related events and spread hatred of America and Israel.
Saadah Masoud received an 18-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to participating in a conspiracy to commit violent hate crimes against Jews in April 2022, June 2021 and May 2021.
Waseem Awawdeh pled guilty in April 2023 to attempted assault as a hate crime and criminal possession of a weapon for an anti-Semitic attack he carried out on May 20, 2021.
Mohammed Said Othman pled guilty to participating in a violent mob attack on a Jewish man in May 2021 in New York.
Mohammed Othman pled guilty to multiple anti-Semitic crimes, including joining in a violent mob attack on a Jewish man.
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Suleiman Othman was arrested in January 2022 after physically attacking a Jewish man the prior month. He entered a guilty plea in May 2023 and was set to receive a sentence of “60 days in jail and three years’ probation.”
Faisal Elezzi pled guilty to attempted assault to cause injury, as a hate crime, for physically attacking a Jewish man in a mob attack in New York City on May 20, 2021.
Mahmoud R. Musa was sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty for assaulting a Jewish man in a 2021 mob attack during a violent anti-Israel counterprotest.
Ahmad R. Musa [Ahmad Ramadan Musa] assaulted and spat at diners, participated in a violent anti-Israel protest, praised Hitler and spread anti-Semitism. Musa has also promoted a white nationalist and spread hatred of Zionists and Israel on social media.
Naye Idriss [Naay Idriss] celebrated Hamas war crimes as a rally speaker in October 2023 and was arrested at an anti-Israel disruption in January 2024. She was also arrested at the pro-Hamas encampment at Columbia in April 2024.
Amin Husain has organized multiple violent New York City disruptions, promoted hatred of America and the police and incited hatred against pro-Israel supporters with Within Our Lifetime (WOL), an anti-Israel activist group in New York.
Lamis Deek expressed support for terror organizations and terrorism, glorified terrorist leaders and called for intifada in America. Deek spread hatred of Zionists, pushed anti-Israel conspiracy theories, compared Israel to Nazi Germany and expressed hatred of Israel.
Fatima Krami pushed a police barrier, shouted at a police officer and harassed a journalist, while participating in a May 18, 2021 anti-Israel rally. She also defied police orders for protesters to disperse and fled when police issued arrest orders as she participated in another anti-Israel protest two days later.
Salem Adnan Seleiman was arrested for participating in an anti-Semitic group attack. He also punched an Israel supporter during a group assault, participated in a violent protest and was arrested for selling narcotics. Seleiman has also spread anti-Semitism, publicly burned Israeli flags and honored a rioter charged with a violent hate crime.
Rohaan Gill [Rohaan Tahir Gill] fought against Israel supporters, was arrested during a violent counterprotest and stole an Israeli flag in 2021. Gill has spread anti-Semitism, expressed support for the Hamas terror group and promoted hatred of Zionists and Israel on social media. Gill also honored a rioter charged with an anti-Semitic hate crime.
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Mohammed Hammad was arrested on May 20, 2021, after participating in a violent counterprotest where he also ripped and stomped on an Israeli flag and joined in anti-Israel chanting. The counterprotest took place in Times Square, New York City.
Fade Masoud helped provoke violence at an anti-Israel rally in 2021 organized by Within Our Lifetime (WOL), an anti-Israel activist group in New York City founded by Nerdeen Kiswani.
Mohamed Maihimid spread hatred of Israel while participating in multiple demonstrations organized by Within Our Lifetime (WOL).
Motamed Ikhmayes [Motamed Nihad Ikhmayes] has spread hatred of Israel at protests in New York City. Ikhmayes joined a violent mob that attacked diners at a restaurant on May 20, 2021, which was the same day Ikhmayes joined other anti-Israel activists at a violent counterprotest.
Muntasser Ikhmayes led a violent anti-Israel mob in chanting anti-Semitic slurs in 2021. He led the same mob when it attacked Jewish diners at an outdoor restaurant in Manhattan.
Youssef Mohamed physically assaulted protesters multiple times, attempted to breach a police barrier and fled from the police when they proceeded to arrest anti-Israel activists on May 20, 2021, during a violent counterprotest.
Mohammad Mousa was arrested on May 20, 2021 after refusing to leave a violent anti-Israel counterprotest in Times Square, when police told rioters to disperse. Mousa also led an anti-Israel chant in another May 2021 protest, in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.
Faran Afzal attempted to punch a man while participating in a violent anti-Israel counterprotest in May 2021. He also mocked the victim of a hate crime, expressed support for terrorism, spread hatred of Israel and is a supporter of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement.
Johar Ahmad was part of a mob that physically assaulted two pro-Israel demonstrators during a violent demonstration. Ahmad also joined in a violent counterprotest and fled from the police. Ahmad has also spread hatred of Israel on social media.
Ayoub Alharbi joined a violent mob, spread anti-Semitism and participated in an anti-Israel riot and flag burning. Alharbi has also expressed hatred of Israel on social media.
Haddabeh Awawdeh [Haddabeh Bassam El Haddad] was arrested during a May 20, 2021 violent counterprotest after he attempted to breach a police barrier and persisted in anti-Israel chanting after police declared the counterprotest unlawful.
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Sahiba Azad has expressed support for violence and for terrorists. She has also promoted incitement and demonized Israel. Azad was an activist with Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
Moe Dari [Mohammad Dari] is a gun enthusiast who was detained while participating in a violent anti-Israel counterprotest in Times Square in May 2021. Dari also honored a violent rioter who was arrested that day and later charged with assault as a hate crime. Dari has also spread hatred of Israel at multiple anti-Israel protests in New York City.
Rameen Mahmood ripped an Israeli flag, burned its remains and demonized Israel as she participated in a June 11, 2021 anti-Israel rally in mid-town Manhattan. Mahmood also promoted incitement at another rally outside the Israeli consulate in Manhattan four days later.
Desmond Marrero was arrested on multiple occasions and reportedly charged wtih attempted robbery and assault. Marrero also participated in a violent counterprotest against a pro-Israel rally in Times Square, New York in May 2021.
Ahmad Othman physically assaulted pro-Israel protesters multiple times and participated in a brawl during a violent protest on May 20, 2021. He has also demonized Israel on Facebook.
Allahidin Rashed has promoted Holocaust denial, praised Hitler, called for violence, spread anti-Semitism and expressed support for terrorists. Rashed has also promoted hatred of Israelis and Israel, as well as the police and America.
Izzy Shidia fled from the police and shouted at Israel supporters while participating in a May 20, 2021 violent counterprotest against a pro-Israel rally in Times Square. When he fled from the police, officers had begun to detain activists who failed to disperse after being ordered to do so.
Mohamed Maihimid spread hatred of Israel while participating in multiple demonstrations organized by Within Our Lifetime (WOL).