The event was in support of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement. The outcome of the movement's goals would result in Israel's destruction. Within hours of the October 7, 2023, terror attacks, the BDS movement renewed its call for an anti-Israel boycott.

Hamas has been designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S., Canada, European Union, Israel and other countries. It is a branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, has promoted antisemitism on religious grounds, and has called for a global caliphate and the destruction of the State of Israel.

Founded in 1987, it has killed thousands of Israeli civilians in mass shootings and suicide bombings. Hamas has kidnapped children, families and the elderly, holding them hostage in Gaza. It has desecrated [slide 7] dead bodies and launched numerous rocket attacks against Israeli civilians.

On September 17, 2024, thousands of pagers used by Hezbollah terrorists exploded in Lebanon. With regard to casualties, “Twelve persons were reportedly killed…[and] Nearly 3,000 were injured.” Israel admitted responsibility for the attacks in November 2024.