Ali Mustafa

Overview

Ali Mustafa has whitewashed the Hamas terror organization, promoted incitement and glorified violent protestors. Mustafa has also demonized and spread hatred of Israel and promoted an anti-Israel agitator.

Mustafa is a supporter of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement.

As of November 2021, Mustafa’s LinkedIn page said he was an Adjunct Professor at Northwestern University, Qatar (NU-Q), from January 2015 to May 2019, as well as a presenter and correspondent at TRT World, a Turkish English-language propaganda news channel, since Ma y 2015.

As of the same date, Mustafa’s LinkedIn page also said he was a Freelance Journalist at Al Jazeera English (AJ English), from June 2012 to May 2015.

Also as of November 2021, Mustafa’s LinkedIn page stated he was the founder of the SAMRKAND Initiative, from June 2011 to the present.

As of July 2025, Mustafa’s X bio said: “...

….”

The watermelon has been appropriated by anti-Israel activists as a symbol of Palestinian "resistance" to "Israeli occupation," as it shares the Pan-Arab colors.

Whitewashing Hamas

On June 14, 2017, Mustafa shared to Facebook a TRT produced-video that asked [00:01:40] “...is Hamas a terrorist organization, or is it a liberation movement.”

Hamas is a designated terrorist organization by the European Union, Canada, Australia, the United States and Israel.

The video Mustafa shared compared [00:01:58] Hamas to South African former president and anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela, suggesting [00:02:16] that “Hamas members are engaged in a similar arms [sic] struggle.”

Promoting Incitement

On May 14, 2021, Mustafa tweeted: “listen to @OmarBaddar to understand the context behind the latest Israeli assault on #GazaUnderAttack #ShaikhJarrah” and included a video by the Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU), presented by Omar Baddar.

In the video, Baddar accused [00:00:08] Israel of ethnic cleansing in Sheikh Jarrah.

In May 2021, Palestinian violence erupted in anticipation of an Israel High Court ruling on eviction proceedings concerning over 70 Palestinian tenants illegally residing in Jewish-owned properties in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah.

Baddar also accused [00:03:26] Israeli prime minister Netanyahu of “escalating violence against Palestinians” and [00:03:33] “Israeli occupation forces” of “brutalizing unarmed Palestinian demonstrators and invading their holiest places of worship,” showing footage of clashes at the Al Aqsa Mosque.

In May 2021, violent clashes broke out between Palestinian worshippers and Israeli police at the Al-Aqsa compound following claims the Al-Aqsa Mosque was in danger. The subsequent incitement was a leading factor in Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terrorists firing over 4,300 rockets from Gaza into Israel later that month. Israel responded by launching “Operation Guardian of the Walls (OGW),” carrying out targeted military strikes in Gaza. Allegations of Jews “threatening” to destroy the Al-Aqsa Mosque have been a traditional pretext for Arab attacks on Jews predating the State of Israel.

In the IMEU video that Mustafa tweeted, Baddar also referred to [00:03:41] “scenes of Israeli mobs chanting genocidal slogans as flames from Israel’s assault on the Al Aqsa compound burned in the background,” showing footage that purported to show Jews dancing and cheering while a tree burned near the Al-Aqsa mosque.

The fire was reportedly caused by Palestinian rioters shooting fireworks at Israeli police, and was quickly extinguished with no damage to the mosque. However, social media users suggested that Jews were celebrating the destruction of the mosque, when the celebrants had in fact gathered in honor of Jerusalem Day, an Israeli national holiday.

Baddar continued [00:03:48]: “imagine if the situation were reversed, if it was armed Palestinians invading Jewish places of worship and brutalizing unarmed Israelis… that footage would be playing on a loop as breaking news on just about every network.”

Baddar also claimed [00:04:07] Israel was “massacring civilians in Gaza,” that [00:04:23] “Israel is inherently the initiator of violence...” and that [00:05:21] “Israel regularly bombs civilian areas in Gaza indiscriminately.”

On May 9, 2021, Mustafa tweeted referring to the Al Aqsa Mosque that Israeli police were “further desecrating Islam’s third holiest site...”

On May 8, 2021, Mustafa tweeted: “unbelievable desecration of the third holiest site in Islam, the Al Aqsa mosque by Israeli stormtroopers…”

Also on May 8, 2021, Mustafa tweeted: “the Night of Power at #AlAqsaMosque” and included a tweet with a video of Palestinians outside of the Al Aqsa mosque, chanting: “ya hamas ya 7abib udrub udrub Tal-Abib ya Qassami ya 7abib udrub udrub Tal-Abib [Oh dear Hamas bomb bomb Tel Aviv, Oh dear Qassam bomb bomb Tel-Aviv].”

On August 11, 2019, Mustafa shared to Facebook a video of worshippers running from the Al Aqsa mosque compound, with the caption: “That’s how the Palestinian welcomed Eid El Adha in the holy & peaceful place Al-Quds...And that’s how they get attacked by the israelis while practicing their Eid-Prayer ...#Jerusalem 08/11/19.”

On August 11, 2019, Palestinian rioters gathered at the gates of the Al Aqsa compound after rumors circulated that police would allow Jewish visitors on to the Temple Mount. This was in honor of Tisha B’Av, which is regarded as the saddest day in the Jewish calendar and a day of mourning for the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem.

Rioters threw stones at police and threw chairs and other objects at Jewish visitors to the Temple Mount.

Glorifying Violent Protesters

On May 7, 2021, Mustafa tweeted: “take that occupier! Palestinian youth unafraid.” Mustafa’s tweet included a video showing a Palestinian youth throwing what appeared to be a brick at the face of a helmeted Israeli police officer outside Damascus Gate in Jerusalem. The policeman had moved aside a barricade to make way for the youth to pass by. Musical, Arabic chanting dubbed into video urged: “udrub udrub udrub -hit/strike/bomb and don't give up Al-Aqsa.”

On March 31, 2018, Mustafa shared to Facebook an article from the anti-Israel website Mondoweiss. The article was titled: “Israeli forces shoot unarmed protesters from across Gaza security fence, killing at least 15.”

On March 30, 2018, some 30,000 Palestinians in Gaza approached Israel’s border to take part in “Land Day Protests” or the “March of Return.” The violent demonstrations were instigated by Hamas on the Israeli-Gaza border. Participants declared their intention to harm Jews across the border under the pretext of “peaceful resistance.”

March participants sent scores of kites bearing explosive devices across Israel’s border to burn Israeli crops and homes. Rioters also made numerous attempts to breach Israel’s border fence, which caused the Israeli Defense Forces to respond with live fire.

Agitators also threw Molotov cocktails, firebombs, shot firearms and threw rocks under the cover of smoke from burning tires.

On April 9, 2018, Mustafa shared to Facebook a post by the anti-Israel group IfNotNow (INN), documenting a protest in support of violent protesters on Israel’s border with Gaza.

Seven INN activists were arrested after they blocked the doors of United States Senator Chuck Schumer’s New York City office for 90 minutes. Around 40 INN activists entered the lobby of the building and recited the Mourner’s Kaddish prayer for Palestinians killed during the Great March of Return Gaza border protests.

In a press release, INN stated: “The demonstrators called on him [Schumer] to condemn Israeli violence against Palestinian protesters in Gaza” and referred to The Great March of Return as “a protest which has not injured or endangered Israeli soldiers or civilians.”

On September 8, 2018, Mustafa tweeted: “This is the ‘threat’ Israel says it is fighting in Gaza. Unarmed fourteen year olds, protesting to break out of the largest prison in the world. I’m sure the Zionists will create honour where there is none?”

March participants sent scores of kites bearing explosive devices across Israel’s border to burn Israeli crops and homes. Participants also attempted to breach the border fence, which caused the Israeli Defense Forces to respond with live fire. Agitators also threw Molotov cocktails and firebombs, shot firearms and threw rocks.

Demonizing Israel

On May 26, 2021, Mustafa tweeted: “we should all condemn antisemitism and heinous attacks on Jews and the Israeli occupation that enables it.”

On May 22, 2021, Mustafa tweeted: “from baby cousin to baby killer…” Mustafa’s tweet included a tweet by CNN Jerusalem Correspondent Hadas Gold, that said: “My baby cousin entered the Israeli army today.”

On September 13, 2019, Mustafa tweeted: “When it comes to Palestine and Kashmir, India and Israel are oppressors-in-arms | Middle East Eye” and included an article with the same title, published by the Middle East Eye (MEE).

The article that Mustafa shared claimed: “The hue of 'democracy' has given India and Israel special gravitas and legitimacy, while human rights violations continue unchecked.”

On August 15, 2019, Mustafa tweeted: “Israel is not a Democratic Soceity -.”

On April 8, 2019, Mustafa tweeted: “No Israeli apartheid? Really @EmilyBLandau??! They’re just building walls to keep the ‘zombies’ out then. That settles it.” Mustafa was responding to another tweet that said: “What’s the difficult topic? Apartheid? There is no Israeli apartheid, the topic itself is a gross lie...”

On August 23, 2018, Mustafa tweeted: “#Zionists occupy #Palestine.”

That same day, Mustafa tweeted: “Ok. #BDS might fail , but will #Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian people end?Call it as you like, but remember @realDonaldTrump / @VP won’t be in power forever - with the 2-state solution already dead - it’ll be reckoning time for Israel’s Zionist apartheid - I’m calling it.”

On July 21, 2014, during Israel’s Operation Protective Edge (OPE), Mustafa tweeted: “#Gaza is the huge prison where the fascist state of #Israel kills women, children and elderly for sport. #FreePalestine.”

Israel commenced OPE in July 2014 to stop rocket fire targeting Israeli civilians and to destroy Hamas attack tunnels.

That same day, Mustafa tweeted: “#Israel's #GenocideinGaza is not about land, it's about the military might of a #fascist state reaching critical mass every few years.”

Also on July 21, 2014, Mustafa tweeted: “#Israel can't justify the killing of innocents in #Gaza in the name of terrorism forever. #FreePalestine.”

Spreading Hatred of Israel

On July 28, 2025, Mustafa posted on X: “‘Death to the IDF’ is the least any human with an ounce of conscience should say at this moment of mass #GazaStarving by Israel.”

On June 8, 2021, Mustafa tweeted: “the men with guns are afraid of a kite: Israeli stormtroopers fail to take down a Palestinian flag kite.”

Since at least 2018, Palestinians have used kites, condoms and balloons, equipped with incendiary devices and explosives, as a form of weapons, launching them into Israel. The various incendiary devices caused thousands of fires, as well as millions of dollars of damage.

On November 23, 2017, Mustafa posted to Facebook an AJ+ video promoting the anti-Israel children’s book titled: “P is for Palestine,” which was written by Golbarg Bashi.

Dr. Golbarg Bashi’s children’s book, “P is for Palestine,” was surrounded by controversy for its reported glorification of “intifada.” The book states: “I is for Intifada. Intifada is Arabic for rising up for what is right, whether you are a kid or a grownup.” Bashi has a history of demonizing Israel on social media as well as on her blogs.

On June 3, 2017, Mustafa shared a post on Facebook from the anti-Israel Mondoweiss website, which featured a cartoon that characterized the Israeli actress who played Wonder Woman, Gal Gadot, as “Apartheid Woman.”

The cartoon showed Gadot being struck down by “Mother Palestine,” above the Dome of The Rock, while a Palestinian man cheered. Text accompanying the cartoon read: “Apartheid Woman versus Mother Palestine” and featured a stamp reading “Approved by the BDS Movement.”

The Mondoweiss Facebook post that Mustafa shared read: “Not going to see # WonderWoman? Then check out Mother Palestine taking on her most diabolical enemy yet -- Apartheid!”

On November 15, 2015, Mustafa tweeted: “@BBCWorld just ran interview of a Jewish leader who compared #ParisAttacks to threats #Israel faces everyday...#wtf! #endisraelioccupation.”

The November 2015 Paris attacks “were a series of coordinated terrorist attacks that took place on 13 November 2015.” Three suicide bombers struck, the first outside the Stade de France during a football match, the second outside a different stadium and the third near that stadium. Several mass shootings followed and one of the attackers detonated a suicide bomb outside a restaurant.

Promoting an Anti-Israel Agitator

On December 23, 2017, Mustafa shared a post to Facebook from anti-Israel professor Hamid Dabashi.

Dabashi’s post featured a photo comparing Ahed Tamimi to Wonder Woman, played by Israeli actress Gal Gadot and said: “The Zionist Colonizer vs the Palestinian resistance — the fake Hollywood ‘superhero’ vs the real Palestinian rebel —the Israeli military occupier vs the Palestinian grit and guts — the US media manufactured icon of New Jersey shopping malls vs the towering courage rooted at the heart of her homeland . . .”

Ahed Tamimi has a long history of physically attacking Israeli soldiers. Tamimi is the daughter of Bassem Tamimi, who is known for exploiting young children as political props in staged confrontations with Israeli soldiers.

On January 8, 2018, Mustafa shared to Facebook a video promoting Tamimi, narrated by Janna Jihad Ayyad.

Janna Jihad Ayyad Al-Tamimi, also known as Janna Jihad, is an anti-Israel youth activist. She is a relative of Palestinian propagandist Bassem Tamimi, who is notorious for exploiting young children as political props by manufacturing confrontations with Israeli soldiers who respond to the riots that Tamimi organizes.

In the video, Ayyad claimed [00:00:18] that Tamimi was arrested because “she didn’t let those soldiers to go [sic] in her house and shoot fire from her house on the children that was [sic] playing near her house.” Ayyad added [00:01:05] “The reason they shoot the children, is because they’re Zionist people want to kick us out of our land.”

Supporting BDS

On May 12, 2019, Mustafa tweeted: “‘In Israel, all people; Jews and Arabs, Muslims and Christians, religious and secular, as well as LGBTQ reside together in a bastion of coexistence in the heart of the Middle East’ unless of course you live in Gaza or the occupied West Bank - #BDSSuccess - in imitation spin.”

On August 31, 2018, Mustafa celebrated American artist Lana Del Ray for cancelling a scheduled performance in Israel due to pressure from BDS activists, tweeting: “@LanaDelRey boycotts #Israel in major success for the #BDS movement - the ostrich will still try to paint it as #BDSFail - only failure; #IsraelagainstBDS.”

On August 22, 2018, Mustafa tweeted: “#BDS aims to end international support for #Israeli violations of international law by forcing companies, institutions and governments to change their policies. As Israeli companies and institutions become isolated, Israel will find it more difficult to oppress #Palestinians.”

Also on August 22, 2018, Mustafa tweeted: “trying to figure out corporate versus consumer, but yes after all the bad press settlement-based @SodaStreamUSA #Sodastream received, better to cut losses and sell it off to @PepsiCo - failure of #BDS? Reads like success to me.”

In February 2016, 500 Palestinians lost their jobs when Sodastream moved its factory from the West Bank to southern Israel. Although the company denied that BDS had an impact on the decision, the BDS movement took credit for the factory’s relocation.

On August 21, 2018, Mustafa tweeted: “the success or failure of #BDS isn’t pertinent on how many weapons systems #Israel sells to western regimes - #BDS’ success is linked to the rejection and boycott of Israeli consumer products and services by the average buyer in the #UK, #US and elsewhere -”

On July 30, 2017, Mustafa wrote on Facebook: “#ElectronicIntifada #BDS” and linked to an episode of StraitTalk, a TRT show he hosted, where he said [00:00:29]: “The intifada has gone viral. What do I mean by that? Well young people are spreading the call to resistance, using their weapon of choice” and pointed at his smartphone.

On March 22, 2016, Mustafa tweeted: “#BDS #BDSMOVEMENT 's success is apparent in #cruz speech in front of #AIPAC2016.”

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz gave a speech at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)’s annual policy conference in 2016, where he reportedly declared his opposition to BDS, his support for Israel as a strategic ally and his condemnation of Hamas terrorism.

Qatar - Terrorism

Qatar is one of the primary state backers of the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) and has provided funding for Hamas in the past. Qatar facilitates funding to advance extremism around the world, including the West.

Founded in Egypt 1928, the Muslim Brotherhood is a transnational Islamist organization, listed as a terrorist organization in at least six countries, including Egypt, Russia and Saudi Arabia. Hamas, a terrorist group dedicated to Israel’s destruction, is listed as one of the Brotherhood’s offshoots.

Hamas has been designated a terrorist organization by the European Union, Canada, Australia, the United States and Israel.

The Hamas founding charter has called for the murder of Jews, and Hamas has hosted “summer camps,” that taught children how to wage war.

Qatar Foundation

In 1995, the then-Emir of Qatar and his wife, Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, created the Qatar Foundation (QF) to “advance education, science, and cultural development.”

In 1995, QF was given two billion dollars in resources by the Qatari Government “to address knowledge and capacity deficits” and transform into a “knowledge-based economy.”

QF launched Education City (EC) in 1997, with the stated goal of providing “world-class education to the people of Qatar.”

In 2003, the campus was officially inaugurated.

Qatar Foundation - Yusuf al-Qaradawi and the Muslim Brotherhood

In 2007, Yusuf al-Qaradawi announced QF’s establishment of the Qatar Faculty of Islamic Studies (QFIS) in EC. The QFIS structure was to be created by an advisory committee, chaired by al-Qaradawi.

Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi [Yousef Al-Qaradhawi] was the founder and, as of April 2020, remained head of the European Council for Fatwa and Research. In 2005, The Wall Street Journal reported the council used the anti-Semitic fabricated text, the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, as a basis for some of its deliberations.

al-Qaradawi said in a statement that aired on Al-Jazeera TV on January 30, 2009: "Throughout history, Allah has imposed upon the Jews...The last punishment was carried out by Hitler...Allah Willing, the next time will be at the hand of the Believers."

al-Qaradawi has also called for the murder of American civilians, as well as American troops in Iraq, homosexuals and Jews and expressed support for domestic violence against women.

In 2008, Moza bint Nasser and QF established within QFIS, the al-Qaradawi Centre for Research in Moderate Thought, also known as the “Al-Qaradawi Center for Islamic Moderation and Renewal,” in honor of “His Eminence” Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradawi.

QFIS described al-Qaradawi as “a pioneer of Islamic moderate thought” and the research center’s “main theorist.”

In January 2012, QF opened the Research Center for Islamic Legislation and Ethics (CILE), “under the guidance of Director Dr. Tariq Ramadan.” In October 2015, Ramadan was listed as the CILE Director.

Tariq Ramadan is the grandson of Muslim Brotherhood (MB) founder Hassan al-Banna and son of senior Brotherhood operative Said Ramadan. Tariq Ramadanis also alleged to be a serial-rapist, as well as a terrorist supporter.

In 2015, Ramadan gave a “Principles of Leadership in Islam” seminar series, open to all EC students.As of May 2020, CILE listed Ramadan as part of “Our Team” on their website.

NU-Q - Qatar Foundation

In 2008, QF invited Northwestern University (NU) in Evanston, Illinois to set up a Qatari satellite campus in EC, Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q), focusing on journalism and communications.

The degree that NU-Q awards students upon graduation would be identical to that earned at NU’s Evanston, IL campus.

On July 10, 2009, the Chronicle of Higher Education released an article critical of the academic standards of EC, noting that: "Administrators at several branch campuses of American universities in Qatar acknowledge that they accept students with admissions standards that fall below those expected on their home campuses…"

On April 5, 2014, Everett Dennis, NU-Q’s then-Dean and CEO said [00:12:25] in an interview with Richard Heffner, a former professor of Communications and Public policy at Rutgers University (Rutgers), that QF was “paying the bill” for NU-Q’s building, faculty, research and housing.

In March 2015, Stephen F. Eisenman, President of the Northwestern Faculty Senate, reported to the NU Faculty Senate that Qatari students receive full scholarships from the QF, while non-Qatari students, with some exceptions, must pay full costs. Eisenman also reported that “that five new endowed professorships at NU were recently funded out of QF money.”

In 2016, NU signed a 10-year extension to its agreement with QF, enabling NU-Q to operate through the 2027-2028 school year.

As of November 2019, the United States Department of Education (DoE) reported that Qatar gave NU $323.4 million in contract revenue since January 2013, averaging $49.6 million per year.

As of April 2020, Qatar Foundation’s contract with NU-Q was not available to the public.

As of May 2020, EC hosted six American university satellite campuses, in addition to NU-Q, including Carnegie Mellon University, Georgetown University, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), the Joan & Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University and Texas A&M University.

QF lawyers, according to a January 2016 Washington Post article, petitioned the Texas attorney general in an attempt to keep the operational and financial details confidential.

However, the Washington Post was able to publish the 2012 10-year contract between VCU and QF because it was “disclosed as a matter of public record.” The projected budget included a VCU management fee of $3.6 million dollars for 2013, to rise to $4.1 in 2015.

The Washington Post article added: “The other four U.S. schools involved are private: Cornell, Carnegie Mellon, Northwestern and Georgetown universities. They all declined Post requests for their Qatar contracts.”

The Washington Post later published the 2014 contract between Texas A&M and QF in a March 2016 article. The contract stated: “Texas A&M is eligible for a management fee for running the branch — an amount set at $8.2 million in fiscal 2014.”

In 2019, the U.S. DoE was reportedly “quietly investigating Georgetown and three other universities — Texas A&M, Cornell and Rutgers — over their funding from Qatar.”

Qatar Foundation - Anti-Israel Campaign

In 2009, the Qatar Foundation hired the U.S. public relations firm, Fenton Communications, to develop “a communications action plan for an 18-month campaign,” using Al Fakhoora, a Qatari-based pro-Palestine initiative.

The Fenton plan aimed to delegitimize Israel and generate international support for the Hamas-run Gaza strip, with a reported budget of $120,000.

Al Fakhoora was reportedly launched in 2009, following “the Israeli aggression on Gaza,” in support of promoting and facilitating access to higher education.

Israel commenced Operation Cast Lead (OCL) in 2008-09 in order to stop Hamas rocket fire from Gaza targeting Israeli civilians. In 2010, Hamas admitted that nearly 700 of the Palestinian casualties in OCL were combatants.

In May 2010, Farook Burney, director of Al Fakhoora, reportedly participated in the Mavi Marmara attempt to “break the siege in Gaza.”

The Mavi Marmara was the lead ship in a “Freedom Flotilla” of six ships that attempted to sail to Gaza in May 2010 to “break the siege.” A 2011 United Nations’ report found that the flotilla activists initiated a violent confrontation with Israeli forces. Following the incident there was no humanitarian aid found onboard the ship, only crude weaponry.

In June 2010, Burney reportedly told students at QFIS that "Al Fakhoora has launched an advocacy campaign to file legal charges against Israel and change the public perception in the West about its actions."

As of 2020, Fakhoora was located in Education City (EC), Qatar.

Qatar Foundation -EC Mosque Hosting Anti-Semitic Preachers

In April 2015, QF opened the Education City (EC) Mosque, located in Qatar Faculty of Islamic Studies (QFIS) campus, adjacent to NU-Q.

Since the opening of the mosque, QF’s newspaper has encouraged readers to “join the QF community for prayer” at the EC Mosque, which has hosted 18 preachers and clerics who have variously spread anti-Semitism, expressed support for terror, spread [00:00:20] a conspiracy theory that radicalized Muslims played no part in 9/11 or the Charlie Hebdo attacks and declared that the Jews use pornographic movies to “destroy the world and control it.”

One preacher, Salman al-Audah, claimed [00:02:48] in a sermon broadcast on a major Gulf media channel in August 2012, that Jews use “human blood” for Passover matzah.

A cleric, Tareq al-Hawas, stated [00:04:11] about Jews "If only Hitler had finished them off, thus relieving humanity of them." Hawas was reportedly a member of Yusuf al-Qaradawi's International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) in 2013.

Another cleric, Mohammed al-Arifi, proclaimed in 2012, that “one’s devotion to jihad for the sake of Allah and one’s will to shed blood, smash skulls, and chop off body parts...constitute an honor.”

On March 18, 2016, preacher Mudassir Ahmed spoke at the EC mosque, urging attendees to [00:37:47]: “Kill the infidels... Count them in number and do not spare one.”

On April 1, 2016, preacher Khalid Al-Bakr, who has expressed support for Hamas, spoke at EC’s Mosque, calling [00:36:47] for Allah to “render victorious our brothers the mujahideen...in every place” and to “guide their shooting.”

On October 30, 2015, during the “Knife Intifada,” al-Hawas used his pulpit at the EC mosque to condemn [00:30:18] “the aggressor Zionists,” adding: “Allah, Help out Islam and Muslims, humiliate the heathens; destroy the foes of the religion.” al Hawas also said: "Protect your house, Al-Aqsa mosque from the hands of the Zionist aggressors."

October 2015 saw a wave of stabbings, known as the “Knife Intifada,” where young Palestinians throughout Israel were stabbing and attempting to stab Israeli civilians. The upsurge in violence across Israel was incited by Palestinian political and religious leaders. The attacks were sparked and fueled by Palestinian leaders propagating the libel that Israel intended to desecrate the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

NU-Q - Al Jazeera

Since 2008, NU-Q has worked closely with the Al Jazeera Media Network (Al Jazeera). In 2013, NU-Q signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MoU) with Al Jazeera “which deepens ties between the two organizations.”

Al Jazeera is a multinational multimedia conglomerate and parent company of the Qatari state-funded Al Jazeera. AJMN comprises an entirely state-owned network, chaired by Sheikh Hamad bin Thamer Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar.

AJMN has been repeatedly accused of slanting news reports to promote and advance the agenda of the Muslim Brotherhood (MB), as well as MB’s offshoot, the Hamas terrorist organization.

On March 13, 2013, Qatari-based news site Marhaba reported that NU-Q’s MoU with Al Jazeera aimed to “further facilitate collaboration and knowledge transfer between the two media organisations.” NU-Q’s announcement of the MoU referred to itself and Al Jazeera as “two of Qatar’s foremost media organisations.”

The MoU was created, in part, so NU faculty would provide consultations to launch Al Jazeera America (AJAM), based on NU’s “expertise in the American Media Industry.”Al Jazeera, for its part, expressed “willingness to support NU-Q students with scholarships as well as training opportunities.”

Al Jazeera launched AJAM, an American news channel, 2013. However, the channel closed in April 2016 due to low viewership and following a crisis in 2015 when CEO Ehab Al Shihabi reportedly stepped down after accusations of sexism and anti-Semitism.

NU-Q’s MoU with Al Jazeera was signed by Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed Al-Thani, Qatari Minister of Economy and Commerce and Director General of Al Jazeera, as well as Everette Dennis, the Dean and CEO of NU-Q.

Since the MoU, Al Jazeera has maintained a close partnership with NU-Q, including funding NU-Q’s professorial research.

NU-Q Joint Advisory Board

Since NU-Q and Al Jazeera signed their initial MoU in 2013, NU-Q has a Joint Advisory Board (JAB), which consists of ten to eleven people; five or six positions filled by Qatari-connected members and five positions filled by Western members.

All eleven of the current or previous Qatari-connected JAB members were directly affiliated with QF, Al Jazeera or the Qatari government.

There is little information available about the role of NU-Q’s JAB. The role of the Texas A&M University, Qatar (TAMUQ) JAB was exposed by the Washington Post in a 2016 article, to include general oversight and close monitoring and review of every aspect of TAMUQ, with QF paying the JAB TAMUQ expenses.

Multiple people associated with the NU-Q’s JAB have whitewashed al-Qaradawi, including the QF CEO and JAB Co-Chair from 2008-2019, Hind bint Hamad Al-Thani, JAB 2019-2020 member and president of Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) Ahmad Hasnah, as well as JAB 2012 - 2014 member and QF Vice President of education Abdulla bin Ali Al-Thani.

Qatari State Minister, NU-Q JAB 2019-2020 member and AJ Vice Chairman Hamad Bin Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari, reportedly recommended a book that spread anti-semitism and authored an introduction praising the book. Yaser Bishr, 2017-2020 JAB member and Executive Director of digital media at Al Jazeera has demonized Israel.

Professor Rami Khouri was a Western NU-Q JAB member from 2012-2020 and a senior fellow at American University of Beirut (AUB). As of January 2020, Khouri was also an Al Jazeera contributor.

Khouri has legitimized terrorism, defended the “Knife Intifada,” has glorified violent protesters and spread anti-Israel conspiracy theories.

NU-Q - Hosting Annual Al Jazeera Speaker Series

Since the signing of the MoU in 2013, NU-Q has hosted an annual Al Jazeera Speakers Series. Thirteen of the 17 speakers who participated in the series at NU-Q from 2013-2019 have whitewashed terrorism, demonized Israel or expressed supportfor the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement.

Dima Khatib, managing director of AJ+, spoke at NU-Q as part of the series on November 8, 2016. Khatib has spread anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, defended Hamas terror and whitewashed Hezbollah. She has also glorified a terrorist, demonized Israel and is a supporter of the BDS movement.

Elia Ghorbiah, a journalist at AJ’s immersive storytelling studio Contrast VR [Virtual Reality], spoke at NU-Q on November 8, 2018, as part of the series, helping to launch the NU-Q’s new Media Innovations Lab (MIL).

Ghorbiah has compared Israel to Nazi Germany, exressed support for terrorists, as well as the terrorist organization Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and urged the kidnapping of Israeli soldiers. She is also a supporter of the BDS movement.

NU-Q - Anti-Israel Middle East Studies Minor

In 2017, NU-Q launched a Middle East Studies minor in their Liberal Arts program. From 2017-2019, four of the seven members of the NU-Q’s Middle East Studies committee included anti-Israel NU-Q professors Justin Martin, Ibraham Abusharif, Khaled Hroub and Sami Hermez.

Khaled Hroub, a Professor at NU-Q who taught the 2018 and 2019 course “Islamism & Politics in the Middle East,” has reportedly whitewashed the terror group Hamas.

Sami Hermez, an NU-Q Professor who taught the 2018-2019 NU-Q courses “Anthropology of Palestine” and “Advanced Topics: Violence/Power/Resistance,” has promoted a terrorist and demonized Israel.

All of the required reading for Hermez’s “Anthropology of Palestine” course was authored by anti-Israel professors, eight of whom were activists in or supporters of the BDS movement. One of the authors, Edward Said, has advocated for the “right of return,” a Palestinian demand discredited as a means to eliminate Israel.

Justin Martin, an Associate Professor at NU-Q, has mocked America’s suffering following the 9-11 terror bombings and demonized Israel. Martin has also broadcast his desire for Qatari funding to boost the BDS movement on U.S college campuses.

Ibrahim Abusharif was an editor and Treasurer of the Quranic Literacy Institute (QLI) from 1990 to 1998. The QLI “was allegedly part of a large web of organizations and individuals that were funding terrorist groups.”

QLI, along with the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development (HLF), and the Islamic Association of Palestine, was found to have funded Hamas militant activities and therefore liable for the death of David Boim, an American citizen killed by Hamas in the West Bank. This was later reversed as it could not be proven the funds were intended to be used to kill Boim.

The minor also required students to attend two guest lectures a year, chosen by the Middle East Studies Committee.

NU-Q - Student Internships in International Media

As of January 2020, third-year NU-Q Journalism and Strategic Communication students were required to intern for ten weeks at media or public relations firms, off-campus.

In 2019, students reportedly interned at international communication firms and news outlets in Washington D.C., New York City, London, Berlin, Stockholm and Doha.

As of February 2020, news outlets where NU-Q students have interned included: BBC News, TIME Magazine, Forbes, the Washington Post, National Geographic, the Guardian, National Public Radio (NPR), the Boston Globe, USA Today, Vox, the Financial Times, the Huffington Post and VICE

.
Students also interned at sports outlets, including: Sports Illustrated and ESPN, as well as fashion outlets Vogue, Cosmopolitan and Marie Claire.

NU-Q reported in 2012 that they were able to offer students residencies at prestigious media organizations “because of the high-level contacts that NU-Q faculty and staff have in the international media.”

Al Jazeera English

Al Jazeera English (AJ English) is a Qatari-owned news channel, part of the Al Jazeera Media Network (Al Jazeera), headquartered in Doha, Qatar. Al Jazeera and AJ English are owned by the Qatari government and are financed by Sheikh Hamad bin Thamer Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar.

AJ English has come under scrutiny by the U.S. State Department for Qatari “editorial and programmatic control” of AJ English, as Qatar is also the principal financial backer of the terror groups Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood.

AJ English has a significant social media following and has used its platforms to spread anti-Semitism, whitewash terrorists and promote anti-Israel propaganda.

AJ English is geared to a Western audience and has been careful to distance itself from controversy involving AJ’s Arabic news channels. When caught minimizing the murder of Jewish Israelis or publishing falsehoods that demonize Israel, AJ English has usually been quick to retract its statements.

BDS

The Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement was founded by Omar Barghouti in 2005 to challenge “international support for Israeli apartheid and settler-colonialism.” BDS is an allegedly “Palestinian-led movement,” although leading BDS activists have admitted [00:01:01] this is not true.

One of the demands of BDS includes [point 3] what is generally known as the “right of return,” a demand discredited as a way to eliminate Israel. Barghouti said the “right of return” is a means to “end Israel’s existence as a Jewish state.”

Barghouti has said that BDS “aims to turn Israel into a pariah state, as South Africa once was.”

In his activism, Barghouti has also said [00:05:55] regarding Israel: “Definitely, most definitely, we oppose a Jewish state in any part of Palestine. No…rational Palestinian, not a sellout Palestinian, will ever accept a Jewish state in Palestine.”

The movement has been linked to numerous terrorist organizations and received a public endorsement from Hamas in 2017.

BDS initiatives include calling on institutions and individuals to divest from Israeli-affiliated companies, promoting academic and cultural boycotts of Israel, and organizing anti-Israel rallies, protests and campaigns.

The movement’s most notable achievement has been the infiltration of university campuses through lobbying for “BDS resolutions.” In these cases, student governments and student groups, backed by their own anti-Israel members and affiliates, have proposed resolutions on some form of boycott of, or divestment from, Israel and Israeli-affiliated entities.

Boycott resolutions, although non-binding, have been passed by student governments on numerous North American campuses.

BDS activity is often aggressive and disruptive. It has been noted that universities that pass BDS resolutions see a marked increase in anti-Semitic incidents on campus. On one campus, when the student government debated a BDS resolution, reports emerged of violent threats against those opposing it.