Kristin Szremski

Overview

Kristin Szremski [Kristin Brookhouse] has spread anti-Semitism and anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, expressed support for terrorists and defended financiers of the Hamas terror group. She has demonized Israel and Zionists and opposed Jewish- Muslim interfaith dialogue.

Szremski is a leader within the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement.

As of October 2018, Szremski listed herself on Twitter as the “assistant editor in charge of documentary materials at the Journal of Palestine Studies.” The Journal of Palestine Studies is part of the Institute for Palestine Studies (IPS) in Washington, D.C. As of the same date, her Facebook page said she began working at IPS in September 2017.

Szremski is the former National Director of Media and Communications for the American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) organization.

As of January 2019, Szremski pressfolios.com page said that she left Chicago to open AMP’s Washington, D.C office “where she began establishing relationships within the media, Congress and the State Department.” In August 2017, AMP said she left the organization that month and that she “helped to shape and define” the organization.

Anti-Semitism

On July 22, 2016, Szremski tweeted: “Zio trolls can't stand I'm grieving for victims of attacks in Germany.”

The term "Zio" is a common derogatory reference to Zionists, as well as an often-used anti-Semitic slur among white supremacists.

On January 11, 2013, Szremski tweeted about the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), writing: “@samikishawi I think we need to defeat AIPAC and Lobby first and the occupation will end as a better if course since the zio orgs were ½.”

The stated mission of AIPAC is to “strengthen, protect and promote the U.S.-Israel relationship in ways that enhance the security of the United States and Israel.”

On October 28, 2012, Szremski tweeted: “@DianaValerie Totes despite the fact I was the only one knowledgeable about both subjects I've also had Zio editors #feelyourpain.”

On March 13, 2012, Szremski tweeted a Youtube video titled: “Stop the Palestinian Holocaust 2012.”

Anti-Semitic Conspiracy Theories

On August 2, 2017, Szremski tweeted: “I #HonorRasmea The US Justice Department should be ashamed for doing Israel's bidding instead of protecting an upstanding US citizen.”

Odeh was a key military operative with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) terrorist organization. In 1969, she masterminded a PFLP supermarket bombing that killed two college students. She also attempted to bomb the British consulate in Jerusalem. Odeh later moved to the United States but was deported to Jordan in 2017 for immigration fraud.

On the same day, Szremski tweeted: “Rasmea is joining a noble list of Palestinians being kept out of the US by #Israelfirsters #HonorRasmea.”

On March 2, 2015, Szremski tweeted: “End AIPAC control over Capitol Hill - MAKE Netanyahu/Israel/AIPAC accountable for their crimes against humanity.” Her tweet linked to a video titled: “The AIPAC Occupation of the American Congress - #ShutDownAIPAC.”

On January 14, 2015, Szremski appeared [00:34:50] in an AMP Youtube video of a speech where she claimed [00:40:30] that Israel was committing genocide against Palestinians as part of a religious obligation from the Bible. She made her remarks at AMP’s seventh annual conference on November 27-29, 2014.

In the same video, Szremski claimed [00:40:30] that Israeli soldiers were commanded by a “rabbinical council” within the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to make sure that every Palestinian is “eradicated — meaning killed.” She claimed the “rabbinical council” declared “Palestinians are descendants from the Biblical Amalekites,” whom the ancient Israelites were commanded in the Bible to kill.

Szremski then claimed [00:53:13]: “And the soldiers, the IOF [Israeli Occupation Forces] follows this rabbinical dictate coming through them and that’s why we’re seeing… an increase in IOF violence against the Palestinians over the last couple of years and we’re seeing a lot more death because of it.”

In the video, Szremski also theorized [00:36:35]: “The powers that be know that Zionism is dead, the project has failed, Israel has no political future… therefore they have to take their racist apartheid policies and wrap them up in this messianic legend built around creating the Third Temple in order to continue to ensure that the apartheid state of Israel is going to go forward.”

Supporting Terrorists

On August 2, 2017, Szremski tweeted a photo of herself with Rasmea Odeh, writing: “Rasmea and me the day she was released from unjust incarceration. She's an inspiration to me & my work #HonorRasmea.”

On October 16, 2014, Szremski published a blog post supporting Odeh, titled: “#Inequality – Targeting a beloved women’s rights activist simply because of her heritag [sic].”

On May 30, 2016, Szremski tweeted in support of agitators who were killed during the Mavi Marmara affair, writing: “I spent 13 hours online Tweeting out from Mavi's live feed until Israeli commandos shut it down. RIP beloveds.” In 2011, Szremski wrote an article in support of Furkan Dogan.

Furkan Dogan was one of nine Americans on the May 2010 Gaza“Freedom Flotilla.” Agitators on the Mavi Marmara, the lead ship, heard speeches advocating [00:06:00] confrontation and encouraging [00:00:24] the killing of Jews. Dogan wrote in his diary: “These are the last hours before I join the sweet experience of being a shahid [martyr]. Is there anything more beautiful…?”

On August 14, 2015, Szremski tweeted: “Administrative detention is illegal and goes against our values yet we still support Israel #MohammadAllan is dying @POTUS @JohnKerry.”

Allan is a member of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), a terror group “whose objective is the destruction of the State of Israel and the establishment of a sovereign, Islamic Palestinian state.” Allan was first jailed by Israel in 2006 for trying to recruit a suicide bomber to carry out an attack in Israel. He was detained in 2014 for similar reasons. PIJ is backed by Iran and has killed dozens of Israelis in suicide bombings and other attacks.

On February 18, 2013, Szremski tweeted: “If you think you can't make a difference, you're wrong Pressure forced Israel to call emergency hearing for Samer #ReleaseIssawi NOW!”

On the same day, Szremski tweeted: “I cannot bear collaborators - those in US who continue to 'cooperate' with Zionist groups #ReleaseIssawi.”

Samer Issawi is a member of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) who received a 26-year prison sentence in 2002. During the second intifada, Issawi manufactured and distributed pipe bombs and, in several incidents, fired indiscriminately on Israeli civilian vehicles.

Defending Hamas Financiers

In September 2011, Szremski posted two articles on her blog defending five former officers of the Holy Land Foundation (HLF), who were accused of funneling $12 million to Hamas.

The officers were later found guilty, on 108 counts of providing material support for terrorism, and received sentences ranging between 15 and 65 years in U.S. federal prison.

Demonizing Israel and Zionists

On November 9, 2015, Szremski tweeted that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was “racist” and called him “Mr. apartheid himself.”

On March 3, 2015, Szremski tweeted: “Don't thank me for Iron Dome and your mass genocide of Palestinians with US-funded weapons JUST DON'T #Netanyahu.”

On the same day, Szremski tweeted: “So sickening to see AMERICAN legislators standing in support of a racist apartheid 'one and only Jewish state.'”

On July 17, 2014 Szremiski tweeted: “So easy for Israel to say WMD [weapons of mass destruction] are hidden in homes, hospitals, mosques because most media don't question the hasbara #Gazaunderattack.”

Hamas members have admitted to using Gaza’s mosques and hospitals as military bases during Israel’s Operation Protective Edge (OPE), which was implemented to destroy Hamas attack tunnels and stop rocket attacks from Gaza targeting Israeli civilians.

On April 2, 2013, Szremski defended an AMP ad campaign in New York City that accused Israel of practicing “apartheid” and demanded that the U.S. end financial aid to Israel.

On September 23, 2011, Szremski tweeted: “A state just for Jews is racist and APARTHEID.”

On April 29, 2010, Szremski tweeted: “@watchinghistory So much hypocrisy. Israel managed to sell the lie that they are the victims in the Middle East. Unknowing public buys it.”

Opposing Interfaith Dialogue

On February 1, 2012, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) published a blog reporting that: “During a presentation in Washington DC in September 2011 with a fellow activist from the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network, Szremski spoke about ‘legal and popular approaches to challenging Zionist organizations’ and advocated against interfaith dialogue with Jewish groups because it leads to ‘creeping normalcy’ with Jews who may be Zionists.”

On January 14, 2015, Szremski appeared in an AMP Youtube video filmed in November 2014, where she condemned [00:37:00] “our Muslim leaders” who “cooperate with Zionist organizations” and participate in pro-Israel interfaith trips to Israel. She called these trips “illegitimate interfaith cooperation with a normalizing agenda” and claimed these Muslim leaders were “responsible for the threats that are happening to Al Aqsa...”

On July 25, 2015, Szremski tweeted: “I have no respect for #MLI cohorts They turn a blind eye to threat on Al Aqsa http://bit.ly/1CXbtHF #NoMarchOnAqsa.”

On the same day, Szremski tweeted: “Makes me sick that Muslims on #MLI meet with Zionist while settlers threaten Al Aqsa Sign Petition http://bit.ly/1CXbtHF”

MLI "invites North American Muslim leaders to explore how Jews understand Judaism, Israel and North American Jewish identity through a Zionist lens," and to expand their understanding of Jewish “ethics, faith, and practice.” According to MLI founder Imam Abdullah Antepli, “MLI aims to put mainstream North American Jewry in conversation with their Muslim counterparts.”

On December 6, 2016, Szremski tweeted: “It's time we all start exposing the Zionist connection to Islamophobia.” Her tweet linked to an AMP page alleging that interfaith dialogue with pro-Israel organizations contributes to the “creeping normalcy” of Zionism.

Promoting BDS

In 2012, Szremski was a featured speaker at a BDS conference held at the University of Pennsylvania. The title of her speech was “Talking to Beginners about BDS, Israel and Zionism.”

In a May 2016 article, titled “It’s Time to Stop Discussing BDS and Get to Work,” Szremski used verses from the Quran to support boycotting Israel.

In the article, Szremski also claimed that Zionists are “intent on the continued oppression of the Palestinian people” and that many “Muslims are co-opted by Zionist organizations.” She also alleged: “When some Muslims cooperate with Zionists, we weaken the work other Muslims are doing for Palestinian rights.”

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.