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Report on Ohio State University (June 2018)
Canary Mission investigated student activists with Students for Justice and Palestine (SJP) and the anti-Semitic Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement at Ohio State University (OSU), in June 2018.
SJP OSU activists were the driving force behind OSU Divest, a campaign to present a BDS resolution to the University Student Government (USG), on January 25, 2018.
At the presentation of the resolution, 38 OSU students reportedly spoke against it, while eight spoke in favor. One student described the resolution as “intentionally dishonest," while other students cited “its anti-Semitic undertones."
The resolution underwent various amendments as attempts to remove its overt connection to the BDS movement were considered.
The final version of the resolution retained its references to anti-Israel divestment resolutions passed by student governments at over a dozen other universities. Links to multiple websites accusing Israel of “apartheid" and promoting BDS were also retained. A proposed amendment to add a statement denouncing the BDS movement was rejected.
Ultimately, a watered-down version of the anti-Israel resolution passed in the USG. Passage of the resolution was enabled by the USG president, who allowed the vote to be held via a controversial secret ballot.
This report includes the following 23 individuals:
- 10 Students affiliated with SJP OSU
- 9 Co-Sponsors of the 2018 OSU Divest resolution
- 3 Students affiliated with OSU Divest
- The USG president who allowed the vote to be held via secret ballot
The social media activity of the students investigated revealed anti-Semitism, support for terrorism, promotion of violence and widespread demonization of Israel as well as the United States.
Three students posted openly anti-Semitic sentiments:
- Anisa Liban expressed her support for Hitler, tweeting: “‘loooool that's the first thing you say to me’
either that or GO HITLER! which I can't say, as muchAsI Want2.” - Sundus Assaf declared in Arabic that “Obama and the Jews and Bush are all to blame,” tweeting: “Obama w el yahood w Bush el ha8 3laihom kolhom.”
- Kinza Sami published a since-deleted blog post defending Hamas. Sami claimed: “How can Hamas be considered a terrorist group? In my opinion, they are completely justified.”
SJP OSU had a former-treasurer who posted threats on Facebook against pro-Israel senators in 2016. The group promoted incitement, spread hatred of Israel, demonized the Birthright trip to Israel, attacked an anti-BDS bill, pushed successive versions of the OSU Divest resolution and campaigned for terrorist Rasmea Odeh.
BDS is Anti-Semitic
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Fighting BDS starts with clarity. Clarity as to what it’s leaders say and what BDS wants to do with the Jewish population of Israel. Clarity that BDS is anti-Semitic. The following videos illustrate this point: |
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Rabbi Lord Sacks on Anti-Semitism
Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks analyzes modern anti-Semitism. Omar Barghouti, founder of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, reveals the anti-Semitism within the movement. |
The Many Lies of Omar Barghouti
BDS founder Omar Barghouti has been spreading lies about Israel and the Jewish people for years. His movement is naturally based on these lies, misinformation and anti-Israel propaganda. |
Anti-Israel Student Activists and Senators
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| Sundus Assaf has spread anti-Semitism and hatred of Israel. In 2017, Assaf was active in OSU Divest.
On February 23, 2014, Assaf tweeted: “Obama w el yahood w Bush el ha8 3laihom kolhom [Obama and the Jews and Bush are all to blame].”
As of December 2017, Assaf’s Facebook page said she was majoring in Chemistry at OSU, since 2013. On September 19, 2017 she tweeted that she was studying Chemical Engineering.
For more info click here. |
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| Yasmeen Ramahi has supported terrorists and spread hatred of Israel as an activist with SJP OSU. She was a leader of OSU Divest in 2016-2017. On March 9, 2017, Ramahi posted to Facebook: “your zionism has no place in feminism.” As of February 2018, Ramahi’s Linkedin said she was a Strategic Communications major at OSU, slated to graduate in 2018.
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| Kinza Sami has defended the terror organization Hamas and spread hatred of Israel and America as an affiliated with SJP OSU, and promoted OSU Divest.
In 2018, Sami, as a student senator with the USG OSU, co-sponsored an anti-Israel motion submitted to the USG.
On August 26, 2014, Sami published a blog post defending Hamas. Sami claimed that Hamas fought in self-defense, writing: “How can Hamas be considered a terrorist group? In my opinion, they are completely justified.”
On May 7, 2017, Sami tweeted that she was a student at OSU.
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| Hoda Khamis has spread anti-Israel propaganda and was affiliated with SJP OSU. She promoted and was an organizer of OSU Divest. On March 18, 2017, Khamis tweeted: “Israel is not part of the Middle East.” As of December 2017, Khamis’ Twitter feed indicated she was a student at OSU since 2015.
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| Aya Alwan has shown support for terrorists and demonized Israel as a member of SJP OSU. She was a photographer and an organizer for OSU Divest. As of December June 2018, Alwan’s Linkedin said she graduated OSU with a bachelor’s degree in Biological Engineering.
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| Basel Anani was the 2017-2018 SJP OSU president and was an organizer of OSU Divest. As of December 2017, Anani’s LinkedIn said he was a biochemistry major at OSU, slated to graduate in 2019. He was listed as a Patient Care Assistant at the OSU Wexner Medical Center, since June 2017.
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| Ahmad Aboukar was the 2017-2018 treasurer of SJP OSU. As of December 2017, Aboukar’s Linkedin said he graduated from OSU in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. He was listed as a Neuroimmunology Researcher at the Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, OSU Wexner Medical Center, since September 2016.
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| Wesam Jallaq is an activist with SJP OSU. In 2017, Jallaq was an administrator of the SJP OSU Facebook page. In 2017-2018, Jallaq was an organizer of a OSU Divest. He also indicated on Facebook that he participated in anti-Israel rallies in 2015. On April 15, 2017, Jallaq attended the “CAIR-Columbus 20th Annual Banquet.” Jallaq was also the 2017-2018 vice president of the Arab Student Union at OSU. For more info click here. |
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| Sophie Chang approved a “secret ballot” that enabled a January 2018 anti-Israel divestment bill to pass at OSU. Chang was acting in her capacity as vice president of the USG OSU. As of January 2018, Chang’s LinkedIn said she was the “Student Body Vice President” at OSU since April 2017, as well as a University Senator and Chair of the University Panel on Food and Sustainability. Chang’s Linkedin also listed her as as studying Sustainable Business and Economics at OSU from “2014 - 2018.” For more info click here. |
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| Emma Meersman was a co-sponsor of an anti-Israel motion submitted to the OSU student senate in January 2018. Meersman was acting in her capacity as a student “Senator” with USG OSU. Meersman is a student at OSU majoring in Public Health. For more info click here. |
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| Anthony Long was a co-sponsor an anti-Israel motion submitted to the OSU student senate in January 2018. Long was acting in his capacity as a student “Senator” with the USG OSU. As of June 2018, Long’s Facebook page said he was a student at OSU. For more info click here. |
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| Halima Mohamed was a co-sponsor an anti-Israel motion submitted to the OSU student senate in January 2018. Mohamed was acting in her capacity as a student senator with USG OSU. She was also listed as the 2016-2017 “Outreach Chair” for the Somali Students Association (SSA) at OSU. Mohamed’s Facebook page said she was a student at OSU majoring in Biology, as well as an intern at the OSU Comprehensive Cancer Center. For more info click here. |
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| Shukri Ahmed was a co-sponsor an anti-Israel motion submitted to the OSU student senate in January 2018. Ahmed was acting in her capacity as a student senator with USG OSU. As of January 2018, Ahmed’s Facebook page said she was a student at OSU majoring in Microbiology, as well as a Beauty Consultant at SEPHORA. For more info click here. |
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| Paige Bennett was a co-sponsor of an anti-Israel motion submitted to the OSU student senate in January 2018. Bennet was acting as a student senator with USG OSU. As of February 2018, Bennet’s Facebook page said she was a “Student Nurse Associate” at OSU. For more info click here. |
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| Safiyo Mohamud was a co-sponsor an anti-Israel motion submitted to the OSU student senate in January 2018. As of January 2018, Mohamud was acting in her capacity as a student “Senator” with USG OSU. As of February 2018, Mohamud was the 2017-2018 vice president of the Somali Students Association (SSA) at OSU. As of February 2018, Mohamud’s Facebook page said she was a student at OSU. For more info click here. |
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| Nathaniel Andrew Smith was a co-sponsor an anti-Israel motion submitted to the OSU student senate in January 2018. Smith was acting in his capacity as a student “Senator” with USG OSU. In October 2016, Smith’s “Honors & Scholars e-Portfolio” said he was a “first year” at OSU. For more info click here. |
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| Alexis McKenzie was a co-sponsor an anti-Israel motion submitted to the OSU student senate in January 2018. McKenzie was acting as a student senator with USG OSU. As of February 2018, McKenzie’s Facebook page said she “studies” at OSU from “2015-2019.” For more info click here. |
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| Curtis Pierson was a co-sponsor an anti-Israel motion submitted to the OSU student senate in January 2018. Pierson was acting in his capacity as student senator with USG OSU. As of June 2018, Pierson’s Facebook page said he has been studying at OSU since 2016. For more info click here. |
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| Farhan Quadri is affiliated with SJP OSU and showed support for OSU Divest. In 2017-2018, Quadri was a senator with the USG OSU. As of June 2018, Quadri’s LinkedIn said he was a “recently graduated biomedical engineer.” For more info click here. |
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| Savannah Sockwell is affiliated with SJP OSU and promoted OSU Divest. In 2018, Sockwell, as a student senator with USG OSU, co-sponsored an anti-Israel motion submitted to the USG.
For more info click here. |
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| Abderrahmane Amor was affiliated with SJP OSU from 2013-2017 and supported OSU Divest. Amor has served as a Legislative Intern in the Office of Congressman Dan Kildee in Washington, DC.
For more info click here. |
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Alex Leeder posted support for OSU Divest on Facebook. Leeder was listed as the 2017-2018 Director of Diversity with USG OSU. In May 2018, Leeder posted on Facebook that he left OSU. In June 2017, Leeder was reportedly a senior at OSU, majoring in Theatre. For more info click here.
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SJP OSU Activity
SJP at OSU (SJP OSU) was formerly known as the Committee for Justice in Palestine (CJP).
Threatening Student Senators
On December 1, 2016, SJP OSU hosted an event objecting to a David Project-sponsored trip to Israel geared towards student government leaders.
Yousef Yacoub, SJP OSU’s then-treasurer, threatened on Facebook to track student “senators, directors, and members of senior staff" who indicated interest in the trip.
Yacoub wrote: “I see you, and I promise you that if you go on this trip without hearing our voices, I will take action. At the first General Assembly of next semester, I will bring forth a resolution for all of your impeachments."
Spreading Incitement
On September 23, 2015, SJP OSU promoted an event on Facebook titled “#AlAqsaUnderAttack: The Treatment of Sacred Palestinian Places of Worship Under the Occupation." The event description claimed that there have been “attacks of Masjid Al-Aqsa, the third-holiest site in the Islamic faith, by the Israeli Defense Forces."
October 2015 saw an upsurge in violence across Israel incited by Palestinian political and religious leaders. The wave of stabbings, known as the “Knife Intifada," saw young Palestinians throughout the country stabbing and attempting to stab scores of Israeli civilians.
The attacks were fueled by Palestinian leaders propagating the libel that Israel intended to desecrate the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. The allegation that Jews “threaten" to destroy the Al-Aqsa Mosque has been a traditional pretext for Arab attacks against Jews long before the existence of the modern Jewish state.
On November 3, 2014, SJP OSU promoted on Facebook and co-sponsored a “Hands Off Al Aqsa!" event. The event description said: “When will we stop rallying? When Palestine is FREE! Religious freedom is under attack! As humans, we cannot stand around and watch as Palestinians are robbed of their religious freedom."
On October 30, 2013, SJP OSU posted an Al-Jazeera article on Facebook titled “Shutdown of Al-Aqsa mosque a ‘declaration of war’ say Palestinian leaders."
Supporting an Anti-Israel Agitator
On December 25, 2017, SJP OSU posted to Facebook: “#FreeAhedTamimi" and attached an article titled: “Israel has transferred Ahed Tamimi to three different detention facilities in the last five days even though she has not yet been charged with a crime."
On December 24, 2017, SJP OSU tweeted: “#FreeAhedTamimi."
Ahed Tamimi was detained after she was filmed punching and kicking Israeli soldiers. She has a long history of physically attacking Israeli soldiers.
Tamimi is the daughter of Bassem Tamimi, who is notorious for exploiting young children as political props in staged confrontations with Israeli soldiers. In 2011, he was jailed for organizing violent rallies and inciting minors to commit violent crimes such as rock-throwing.
Spreading Hatred of Israel
On November 6, 2015, SJP OSU posted an article on Facebook that accused Israel of harvesting Palestinians’ organs.
On October 2, 2014, SJP OSU posted a graphic on Facebook that read" “#JSIL." The post linked to an Al Jazeera social media stream post that spread an effort by Twitter users “to rebrand Israel as [Islamic State and the Levant] ISIL, renaming it “The Jewish State of Israel in the Levant."
On September 26, 2014, SJP OSU posted on Facebook a graphic featuring a series of maps that presented lands once controlled by Britain, Egypt and Jordan as autonomous “Palestinian land," purportedly stolen by Israel. SJP OSU also featured these maps as part of their mock “apartheid wall" during Israeli Apartheid Week.
In February of 2016, publisher McGraw-Hill Education recalled and destroyed copies of a college level textbook that contained copies of the fraudulent maps. In October 2015, the United States cable news network MSNBC apologized for airing a similar series of maps and retracted them.
On April 6, 2014, SJP OSU promoted on Facebook their hosting of Birzeit University’s Right to Education tour.
The Right to Education campaign brings Palestinian university students to U.S. campuses to spread a libel that Israel is obstructing the rights of Palestinians to higher education. This claim mischaracterizes Israeli security sweeps to shut down terror cells operating on Palestinian campuses.
Demonizing Free Trips to Israel
On April 4, 2016, SJP OSU shared a quote on Facebook from an article demonizing the Birthright Jewish heritage tour. The article claimed that Birthright was “violent" on that “To make Birthright fun and safe means eradicating an Arab populace."
The article also said that “Birthright is the erasure of our right to our homeland, and it promises our homeland to one in four students at this university."
On February 22, 2016, SJP OSU promoted a poster on Facebook that condemned a free trip to Israel awarded to Oscar nominees. The poster declared: “Free Trip To Israel At The Expense of Palestinians" and “#SkiptheTrip, Don’t endorse Israel Apartheid."
Pushing BDS on Campus
SJP OSU pushed a divestment resolution presented by OSU Divest to the University Student Government (USG) on March 23, 2016. The resolution, which targeted companies the group claimed were “complicit in human rights violations," failed in a secret ballot by 21-9 votes with 15 abstentions.
During the pre-vote discussion of the bill, OSU Divest members accused Israel of “apartheid" and claimed that presidential election candidates were “paraded to AIPAC to pledge allegiance to a foreign government."
On April 6, 2016, SJP OSU joined other groups staging a “sit-in" in front of OSU President Michael Drake’s office, as part of a “#ReclaimOSU" campaign. The campaign demanded “complete, comprehensive and detailed access to the Ohio State budget and investments immediately."
Following repeated discussions and warnings, the university released a statement declaring the groups’ occupation of the premises illegal. Police were called in to prevent access to the building past closing time.
Attacking Anti-BDS Bill
On October 13, 2017, SJP OSU tweeted: “ATTENTION: There is an anti- BDS resolution that is in the process of being passed here in Ohio." The tweet referred to Ohio bill H.C.R 10, which condemned the BDS movement and “manifestations" of anti-Semitism.
On October 16, 2017, SJP OSU tweeted: “Hearing for anti-BDS house bill has been delayed until further notice please RT and spread the word."
SJP OSU also tweeted: “Further details about submitting written testimonials also coming in the next couple days as well! Stay tuned!"
On October 28, 2017, SJP OSU tweeted: “Breaking: just released the hearing for the anti bds bill in the state legislature is THIS Wednesday at 9:30 am, RT and tell your friends."
SJP OSU also tweeted that students should send in a written testimony against the bill, to tell “them you’re against this bill," and to “share with friends."
H.C.R 10 was adopted by the Ohio House of Representatives on December 5, 2017.
Promoting Terrorist Rasmea Odeh
In November 2014, SJP OSU promoted on Facebook a solidarity rally for Rasmea Odeh.
Odeh was a key military operative with the terrorist group the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). In 1969, Odeh masterminded a PFLP bombing that killed two college students in a Jerusalem supermarket. Odeh also attempted to bomb the British consulate.
Odeh confessed, in a highly detailed account, the day following her arrest. In a 2004 documentary, one of Odeh’s co-conspirators directly implicated her as the mastermind.
On 1970, an Israeli court tried and convicted Odeh for her involvement in both bombings and sentenced her to life imprisonment. However, Odeh was released 10 years later, in a prisoner swap and emigrated to the United States.
On November 10, 2014, a Michigan federal jury convicted Odeh for immigration fraud because she failed to disclose her prior conviction and life sentence on her immigration application. On March 12, 2015, she was sentenced to 18 months in prison.
On February 26, 2016, Odeh’s immigration fraud case was sent back to the district court, to examine whether trauma-related repressed memories contributed to Odeh’s failure to disclose her prior conviction.
On March 23, 2017, Odeh accepted a plea deal where she would be initially deported to Jordan and lose her U.S. citizenship in exchange for avoiding jail time.
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