Haneen Hammad

Overview

Haneen Hammad has spread incitement, demonized Israel, endorsed anti-Israel agitators and engaged in anti-Israel activism. Hammad is also a supporter of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement.

In 2015, Hammad was an activist with Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP)’s chapter at San Jose State University (SJSU). In October 2016, Hammad was affiliated with the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF).

The Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF) is a nonprofit organization reportedly set up to “provide urgent humanitarian care for Gaza’s children.” It has been financially linked with the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development (HLF), which was shut down by the U.S. government for funneling donations to a terrorist organization.

From 2012 to 2018, Hammad was affiliated with the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) San Francisco Bay Area chapter, CAIR-SFBA. In 2012 and 2015, she was also affiliated with the American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) SFBA chapter, AMP Bay Area.

In February 2020, Hammad indicated on Facebook she was the “NorthWest Event Coordinator” of the Islamic Relief USA (IR USA) since December 2015.

IR USA is a “partner” of Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) and raised 22% of the Worldwide organization's budget in 2019. IR USA raised a similar percentage of IRW’s budget in 2014.

Hammad studied Graphic Design at SJSU. In 2007, SJSU’s student newspaper, The Spartan Daily, referred to Hammad as an “Alumnus.”

As of February 2021, Hammad went by the name “Haneen Falasteen” on Facebook since 2014.

Spreading Incitement

On July 11, 2014, during Israel’s “Operation Protective Edge (OPE)” against Hamas in Gaza, Hammad tweeted: “From the river to the sea, #Palestine will be free. #FreePalestine #ProudPalestinian #GazaUnderAttack #FreeGaza.”

“From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free” is a chant calling to dismantle the State of Israel. It has also been employed by Hamas leader Khaled Mashal to call for the replacement of Israel with an Islamic state.

Throughout the summer of 2014 — during Operation Protective Edge (OPE) — Hamas's deployment of human shields was extensively documented and publicized. Hamas encouraged Gazans to act as human shields to frustrate Israeli efforts to avoid civilian casualties in Gaza.

Israel commenced Operation Protective Edge (OPE) in July 2014, to stop rocket fire targeting Israeli civilians and to destroy Hamas attack tunnels.

As of February 2021, Hammad’s Facebook and Instagram bio’s included the quote: “بالروح بالدم نفديك يا فلسطين [With spirit, with blood, we will redeem you Palestine].”

The chant: “be-ruh be-dam nifdik ya Aqsaبروح ودم نفديك يااقصى [With spirit, with blood, we will redeem you, Aqsa]” can be heard [00:01:14] at anti-Israel rallies [00:02:19] in America. Yasser Arafat popularized the chant [00:00:23], which is invoked by anti-Israel protesters regarding a variety of causes.

Demonizing Israel

On July 7, 2015, Hammad tweeted, accusing Israel of “glorifying apartheid @ da expense of Palestinian blood.”

On May 15, 2015, Hammad posted to Facebook, quoting from an article by anti-Israel professor, Hatem Bazian, which was titled: ”The Nakba: The Intentional, Deliberate and Systematic Dispossession of the Palestinians.”

The quote read: “we affirm the #PalestinianRights, the justness of claims accrued from planned acts of ethnic cleansing and wholesale civilized thievery that made it possible to build the Israeli state...”

The term “Nakba” is generally translated as “catastrophe” in Arabic, referring to the outcome of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. It is a term often used to delegitimize the creation of the State of Israel by defining it as a catastrophe.

Hatem Bazian is the founder of the anti-Israel organizations Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and American Muslims for Palestine (AMP). Bazian has a decades-long history of incitement and of using classic anti-Semitic tropes to demonize Israel.

During Israel’s OPE against Hamas in Gaza, Hammad retweeted a July 18, 2014 tweet with a meme suggesting that while the world was focused on Germany celebrating winning the 2014 FIFA World Cup, then-Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, was championing the slaughter of Gazans during OPE.

The tweet Hammad retweeted read: “that’s how israel plays its world cup!”

On May 15, 2013, Hammad posted to Facebook: “65 years of oppression, ethnic cleansing, genocide, apartheid, stealing of land, racism, and loss of basic human rights… We will never give up. We will never forget. We WILL return. Palestine فلسطين [Palestine].”

On November 30, 2012, Hammad posted to Facebook: “If you would like clarification on the Israeli - Palestinian Conflict this video breaks it all down to very simple terms. Check it out and pass it on!

.”

Hammad’s Facebook post linked to a video produced by the anti-Israel organization, Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) and titled: “Israeli Palestinian conflict explained: an animated introduction to Israel and Palestine.”

The video accused Israel of “institutionalized discrimination” against non-Jews. The video also claimed that Israeli Arabs are second-class citizens and alleged Israeli security policies to be discriminatory and unjust.

The film portrayed Israel as an aggressive, oppressive force that can be influenced only through pressure and described peace talks as “theater to cover a land grab.”

On May 15, 2011, Hammad tweeted: “#Israel celebrates its 63rd year as one of the most violent and racist entities in the world. Shame on them and everyone that supports them.”

Endorsing Anti-Israel Agitators

On November 29, 2018, Hammad posted to Facebook: “I STAND WITH #MLH [Marc Lamont Hill]

.”

In November 2018, Hill was fired from his contributor position at CNN (Cable News Network) after he gave an anti-Israel speech at the United Nations. He called [00:20:47] for a “free Palestine from the river to the sea,” a phrase associated with demands to dismantle the State of Israel. Hill also accused [00:16:19] Israel of “ethnic cleansing,” as well as [00:17:49] “white supremacy” and [00:17:56] “settler colonialism.”

On April 20, 2017, Hammad praised anti-Israel agitator Linda Sarsour on Facebook, referring to her as “one of the most influential ladies of our time.”

Anti-Israel agitator Linda Sarsour frequently uses the word “Zionist” as a pejorative and has tweeted that “nothing is creepier than Zionism.” She has aligned with noted anti-Semite Louis Farrakhan, dismissed [00:07:45] those who see her alignment with Farrakhan as problematic and slammed the “Jewish Media” for calling attention to it.

On November 9, 2016, Hammad wrote in a Facebook post: “So so proud. A bright shining light during this dark election time.

So elegant and well spoken masha Allah [God willed] Ilhan Omar for State Representative - 60Bshe is paving the way for many to come.”

Ilhan Omar was elected to the U.S. Congress in 2018. In February 2019, top Congressional leaders denounced Omar for tweeting anti-Semitic remarks.Omar has demonized Israel and endorsed BDS. In July 2019, Omar introduced a pro-BDS resolution in the U.S. Congress, which she described as “an opportunity for us to explain why it is we support…the BDS movement.”

On May 18, 2016, Hammad posted on Instagrama photo of herself posing with Sarsour and Zahra Biloo.

Hammad wrote: “Absolutely #inspired and impressed by these powerful and dynamic #warriors like #👑 @zbilloo and @lsarsour. Knocking down stereotypes and breaking barriers one step at a time. May they always have the strength to be leaders in our Ummah [Community] and continue to motivate us insha Allah [please God]… ”

Billoo has spread anti-Semitism and defended the terror organizations Hamas and Hezbollah. Billoo has also equated Israel with ISIS and spread hatred of Israel and America.

On November 9, 2015, Hammad posted a “selfie” to Instagram, posing next to Sarsour at CAIR-SFBA’s annual banquet. Hammad wrote that meeting Sarsour “was deff [sic] a highlight” in her life and that hearing Sarsour talk “u [sic] can't help but be #inspired to take more #action and to stand up for #justice!”

Anti-Israel Activism

On July 2, 2020, Hammad posted videos and pictures to her Instagram highlights from an event titled:“Day of Rage- No to Annexation of Palestinian Land! (Car Caravan + Virtual Rally).”

The Facebook event description claimed: “the entire Zionist project has depended on land and resource theft… ”

The event was sponsored by the Arab Resource & Organizing Center (AROC) and co-hosted by a number of anti-Israel organizations, including the San Francisco/Bay Area Chapter of Al-Awda, Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM), Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network (Samidoun), JVP-Bay Area and Code Pink’s Bay Area chapter.

In the spring of 2020, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israeli sovereignty would be applied to certain areas of the West Bank. The annexation plan was canceled a day before the July 1, 2020 deadline.

Hammad’s Instagram story included [slide 5] a picture of herself and two friends participating in the protest. Hammad added text across the image that read: “From the river to the sea #Palestine will be free.”

On March 7, 2016, Hammad promoted an SJSU event to Facebook, which was hosted by If Americans Knew (IAK) and featured Alison Weir.

Weir is the founder and executive director of the anti-Semitic organization If Americans Knew (IAK). She has reportedly been “a repeat guest of white supremacist Clay Douglas on his hate radio show.” The Anti Defamation League (ADL) has exposed Weir’s propagation of numerous anti-Semitic and anti-Israel conspiracy theories.

Hammad wrote: “She'll discuss the root of the current violence in Israel-Palestine… and why American taxpayers continue to send Israel nearly $10 million per day.”

Hammad was listed as an attendee for an October 21, 2015 SJP at SJSU event titled: “David Sheen - The Bullet, the Ballot, & the Boycott: Racism in Israel Today.”

David Sheen is an anti-Israel activist and filmmaker who works to portray Israel as an extremist racist state. To this end, Sheen has been accused of purposefully mistranslating Hebrew articles and other media to make Israelis appear racist.

On May 7, 2015, Hammad attended and promoted an SJP at SCU event titled:“Palestine 101 with Professor Hatem Bazian.” The event formed part of SJP's “first ever Palestine Awareness Week.”

Palestine Awareness Week (PAW) is a re-branding for American audiences of Israel Apartheid Week (IAW), originally presented as “an international series of events that seek to raise awareness of Israel’s settler-colonial project and apartheid system over the Palestinian people” and build support for the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement.

AMP and CAIR Activism

On May 15, 2018, Hammad promoted an AMP Bay Area event to Facebook titled:“Vigil for Gaza” held that same day. The Facebook event page description claimed that Palestinians “peacefully protesting in Gaza” were “mowed down” and that “Israeli security forces killed at least 55 Palestinians in Gaza.”

In May 2018, terror group Hamas instigated violent riots on the Israeli-Gaza border. Thousands of rioters attempted to breach Israel’s border fence, declaring their intention to harm Jews across the border under the pretext of “peaceful resistance.”

On May 16, 2018, a Hamas senior official, Salah al-Bardawil, stated that 50 out of 62 protesters killed during the May 14 Gaza border protest were Hamas operatives. Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) also claimed that three of its members were killed at the same protest.

On October 20, 2017, Hammad tweeted: “I'm going to ‘CAIR-SFBA New Office Warming Party’.See you there?.” Hammad’s tweet included an Eventbrite link to the event.

On November 4, 2016, CAIR-SFBA posted a photo of Hammad taken at their “22nd Annual Banquet.” The event was held at the Santa Clara Convention Center on October 29, 2016, and featured anti-Israel activist Omar Suleiman as a speaker.

Suleiman has spread anti-Semitism, promoted incitement, tokenized anti-Israel Jews and demonized Israel.

On May 15, 2015, Hammad posted a photo of herself to Facebook and wrote: “Just donated to CAIR - San Francisco Bay Area to help their youth empowerment campaign during #SVGives…”

Hammad was listed as a co-organizer for a May 16, 2015 AMP Bay Area event titled:“Bay Area Al Quds Conference and Dinner.” The event featured a number of anti-Israel activists, including Hatem Bazian, Rabab Abdelhadi,Sana Saeed, Osama Abuirshaid and others.

Hammad attended a May 24, 2014 annual Nakba day commemoration hostedby AMP Bay Area. The event page description stated that the event would feature a “community forum” with Bazian.

The event page description also thanked anti-Israel organizations, JVP and Friends of Sabeel North America (FOSNA), “for endorsing this event!”

On April 27, 2014, Hammad featured in a group “AMP Volunteer photo” Instagram photo alongside Tariq Ramadan and anti-Israel activist, Taher Herzallah.

Herzallah has expressed support for violence against Israeli Jews, was arrested twice for anti-Israel disruptions and spread an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory.

Also, on April 27, 2014, Hammad commented on the Instagram photo: “Aww yay love this.”

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.

Supporting BDS

On November 17, 2015, Hammad tweeted: “SJSU Associated Students, SJSU Associated Students (Board of Directors): PASS SJSU Divestment! - Sign…” Hammad’s tweet included a link to SJP at SJSU’s petition titled: “PASS SJSU Divestment!” and read: “It’s time to take a stance against unethical investments!”

On November 18, 2015, SJSU’s University Affairs Committee of the Associated Students (AS) Board of Directors held a hearing and vote on the divestment resolution titled:“In Support of Divestment from Companies That Profit from the Israeli Occupation of the Palestinian Territories.”

The resolution, submitted by El-Miaari and endorsed by 27 SJSU student groups, called on the Board of Directors of the Tower Foundation to divest SJSU’s holdings in a number of companies doing business with Israel.

According to SJSU’s website, the Tower Foundation directly “manages all financial aspects of funds donated to” SJSU.

The resolution passed with a 10-5-0 vote, reportedly making SJSUthe first campus in the CSU system to pass a divestment measure.

On December 15, 2015, Board Members of SJSU’s Tower Foundation unanimously rejected the divestment resolution.

SJP

SJP is a student organization engaged in anti-Israel activity on North American college and university campuses.

The first chapter of SJP was founded in 2001 at the University of California at Berkeley by Professor Hatem Bazian. Bazian has spread classic anti-Semitism, reportedly promoted religious anti-Semitism and defended the Hamas terror group. In 2004, Bazian called for “intifada” in America.

SJP organizes anti-Israel campaigns, including running annual Israel Apartheid Weeks, often in collaboration with Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) and Muslim Students Association (MSA) campus chapters.

SJP has been a major force in pushing the anti-Semitic Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement on campuses. Chapters have initiated dozens of BDS resolutions in student governments, which have been proposed on or around Jewish holidays, a time when many Jewish students are off-campus.

SJP activists have reportedly physically assaulted, intimidated and harassed Jewish students, disrupted pro-Israel campus events and demonized pro-Israel campus organizations.

Chapters have often endorsed and campaigned for numerous terrorists and whitewashed terrorism.

CAIR

CAIR describes itself as a “grassroots civil rights and advocacy group” and “America's largest Muslim civil liberties organization, with regional offices nationwide.” Its official mission is “enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.”

CAIR reportedly has “significant ties” to the Muslim Brotherhood, as well as Hamas. A number of former CAIR employees have been convicted on fraud and terrorism-related charges that resulted monetary fines, jail terms and, sometimes, deportation.

CAIR was founded in 1994 and opened its first office in Washington, DC, with the help of a $5,000 donation from the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development (HLF), a charity founded by Mousa Abu Marzook.

Marzook, who was listed as a "Specially Designated Terrorist" by the U.S. Treasury Department in 1995, is reportedly a senior member of Hamas.

In May 2007, CAIR was listed as an “unindicted co-conspirator” in a U.S.-filed action against the HLF for providing funds to Hamas.

CAIR was also listed as a terrorist entity by the United Arab Emirates, in 2014.

AMP

American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) was founded by UC Berkeley Professor Hatem Bazian as a vehicle to generate mainstream support in the United States for the Palestinian national cause.

On its website, the organization lists Bazian as the chairman of its national board and describes itself as “a national education and grassroots-based organization, dedicated to educating the American public about Palestine and its rich cultural, historical and religious heritage.”

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has accused AMP of promoting “extreme anti-Israel views and has at times provided a platform for anti-Semitism under the guise of educating Americans” about Palestinians. The ADL further stated that AMP is directly involved in campus-based anti-Israel activity through Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP).

Prior to founding the AMP in 2006, Dr. Bazian created SJP together with fellow UC Berkeley Professor Snehal Shingavi in 2001. The close working relationship between AMP and SJP has been documented several times over the years by several organizations, including NGO Monitor and StandWithUs.

In addition to providing financial, public relations and legal assistance to SJP, AMP has also been accused of having connections to Hamas. The AMP national board includes former members of both the Islamic Association of Palestine (IAP) and Holy Land Foundation (HLF), both of which were found liable for aiding and abetting Hamas. The IAP was founded by Mousa Mohammed Abu Marzook, a senior member of Hamas.

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.