Lucas Rodriguez

Overview

Lucas Rodriguez lobbied against an anti-Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) bill as a member of Students Against Israeli Apartheid (GMU SAIA), an affiliate of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) at George Mason University (GMU). in 2019.

Rodriguez reportedly served on the executive board for GMU SAIA in 2016-2017.

Rodriquez has also promoted terrorists, demonized Israel and endorsed anti-Israel agitators.

As of May 2019, Rodriguez’s Facebook page said he was studying Philosophy at George Mason University (GMU).

Supporting BDS

On February 28, 2019, Rodriguez posed for a photo with SAIA members and U.S. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib. Rodriguez and SAIA were lobbying against H.R. 336, known as the “Combatting BDS Act of 2019.” 

That day, GMU SAIA tweeted: “Today members of GMU SAIA met with members of congress on the hill to talk about HR 336 and explain why the anti-BDS bill is immoral and unconstitutional.”

On March 18, 2019, Rodriguez was quoted in the GMU student newspaper, GMU Fourth Estate, saying: “Firstly, the biggest problem [of the bill] is that it’ll end the divestment part of BDS...We couldn’t go to the university and say ‘Hey, you need to divest from Sabra because Sabra has supported massacres in Palestine…’”

Rodriguez indicated on Facebook that he “went” to a March 30, 2017 event during Israeli Apartheid Week, hosted by GMU SAIA, titled: “IAW Series: Solidarity.”

Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) is presented internationally as a “series of events that seeks to raise awareness of…Israel’s settler-colonial project and apartheid system over the Palestinian people.” One of its goals is to build support for the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement. IAW has been renamed Palestine Awareness Week.

Rodriguez indicated on Facebook that he “went” to a February 27, 2017 event sponsored by GMU SAIA, titled: “BDS 101.”

The event’s Facebook description stated: “Come out and learn about the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement and what you can do to contribute to Palestinian liberation.”

Promoting Terrorists

On May 23, 2017, Rodriguez posted a photo on Facebook of himself and two others overlaid with the words: “I support #DignityStrike.”

“Dignity Strike” refers to a hunger strike initiated by Marwan Barghouti on April 16, 2017. More than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners participated in the strike – most them also convicted for acts of terrorism. Barghouti headed the Palestinian Authority (PA) terrorist Tanzim force and founded the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades. He was sentenced to five consecutive life terms by an Israeli civilian court for some of his crimes, including his role in the Sbarro Cafe bombing

On May 17, 2017, Rodriguez appeared in a video [00:00:01] posted to Facebook by GMU SAIA, with fellow activists participating in a “Saltwater Challenge.”

The “Saltwater Challenge” was held in solidarity with hunger-striking Palestinian prison inmates convicted of terrorism. The strike was initiated by Marwan Barghouti, who was serving five consecutive life sentences for his role in suicide bombings that killed five Israelis during the second intifada. Aarab Barghouti, the son of Marwan Barghouti, launched the "Saltwater Challenge."

Rodriguez retweeted an April 24, 2016 tweet that glorified Dima Al-Wawi.

12-year-old Al-Wawi was imprisoned for attempting to stab a security guard at the Israeli community Karmei Tzur. Al-Wawi later claimed she intended to kill the guard and hoped she would be killed in the process. “I was dreaming that I was going to be martyred,” she said.  

Demonizing Israel

Rodriguez retweeted a September 7, 2017 tweet that read: “It breaks my heart that the existence of Israel enabled other countries to be antisemitic which in turns strengthened Zionism.”

Rodriguez retweeted a March 31, 2018 tweet which read: “The Israeli military tweeted they knew ‘where every bullet landed’, then deleted it, probably because there is video showing their bullets landing in the backs of unarmed protesters.”

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 march was organized and funded by Hamas as a campaign of violent protests to spotlight the Palestinian demand to “return” to Israel. The “right of return” has since been discredited as a means to eliminate Israel.  

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.  

Rodriguez retweeted an April 7, 2018 tweet from disgraced anti-Israel professor Steven Salaita that read: “Israel has a nuclear facility, dumps toxic waste into the West Bank, razes olive trees, builds sprawling developments on stolen land, and squanders endless cubic feet of water, and suddenly Zionists are concerned about the environment?”

Rodriguez retweeted an October 9, 2018 tweet, which read: “ISRAEL IS ATTACKING PALESTINIAN CHILDREN WITH CHEMICAL BOMBINGS

ISRAEL IS ATTACKING PALESTINIAN CHILDREN WITH CHEMICAL BOMBINGS

ISRAEL IS ATTACKING PALESTINIAN CHILDREN WITH CHEMICAL BOMBINGS

ISRAEL IS ATTACKING PALESTINIAN CHILDREN WITH CHEMICAL BOMBINGS”

On May 25, 2019, Rodriguez said on Twitter that Israel was like “white supremacy.”

Endorsing Anti-Israel Agitators

On March 26, 2019, Rodriguez was featured in a photo posted by GMU SAIA to Facebook, holding a sign which read: “#IStandWithIlhan.”

The Facebook post said: “‘Criticizing a government that openly commits atrocities against a civilian population and that upholds a institution of segregation is something that should be expected, not condemned. That's why I sand with Ilhan.’” #IStandWithIlhan”

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.”

Rodriguez retweeted a February 27, 2018 tweet from GMU SAIA that said: “Thank you to @AbdulhadiRabab for speaking tonight! Although we faced institutional hurdles, we are grateful that we had this amazing opportunity to learn from a legendary figure. Here’s to lasting connections and stronger solidarity with Palestine and all oppressed peoples.”

Professor Rabab Abdulhadi has, since 2014, sought to cultivate alliances between SFSU and two Hamas-dominated Palestinian universities.


Rodriguez retweeted a February 25, 2018 tweet from GMU SAIA which promoted the GMU SAIA event featuring anti-Israel professor Rabab Abdulhadi. The event was titled: “Solidarity History & Frameworks For the Future.” 

On December 22, 2017, Rodriguez posted a photo of himself on Facebook overlaid with the words: “Free Ahed Tamimi.”

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.

Attending the 2016 National SJP Conference

Rodriguez indicated on Facebook that he “went" to the 2016 SJP National Conference hosted by SAIA at GSU in Fairfax, VA, on November 4-6, 2016. He also promoted the conference on Facebook.

On January 27, 2017, Rodriguez appeared in a GMU SAIA group photo posted by National SJP at the 2016 SJP National Conference.

GMU SAIA - Whitewashing a Terrorist  

On October 3, 2015, SAIA shared a video on Facebook and commented: “An Israeli Zionist lynch mob cheers the cold-blooded murder of 19 year old Fadi Alloun.”


Fadi Aloon was shot by Israeli security forces after he stabbed a 15-year-old Israeli boy. Several hours before the attack, Aloon posted “Either martyrdom or victory” on his Facebook page. 


In October 2015, there was an upsurge in violence across Israel incited by Palestinian political and religious leaders. The wave of stabbings, known as the “Knife Intifada,” was characterized by young Palestinians throughout the country stabbing and attempting to stab Israeli civilians.

SAIA 2016 - Demonizing Israel  

On October 5, 2015, SAIA posted on Facebook a photograph of a small child next to photographs of Israeli soldiers and claimed that "today, Israeli occupation soldiers arrested a three year old. For throwing stones."

On October 25, 2015, SAIA posted an article on Facebook claiming that “peace activist” Hashem Azzeh was “assassinated” by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). In October 2015, Al Azzeh died following a battle with a cardiac condition. Palestinian news sources later claimed Al Azzeh’s death was caused by the IDF’s use of tear gas nearby.


On October 3, 2015, SAIA shared a video on Facebook and commented: “An Israeli Zionist lynch mob cheers the cold-blooded murder of 19 year old Fadi Alloun.” 


Fadi Aloon was shot by Israeli security forces after he stabbed a 15-year-old Israeli boy. Several hours before the attack, Aloon posted “Either martyrdom or victory” on his Facebook page. 


In October 2015, there was an upsurge in violence across Israel incited by Palestinian political and religious leaders. The wave of stabbings, known as the “Knife Intifada,” was characterized by young Palestinians throughout the country stabbing and attempting to stab Israeli civilians.

SAIA 2016 - Spreading Lies  

On October 5, 2015, SAIA posted on Facebook a photograph of a small child next to photographs of Israeli soldiers and claimed that "today, Israeli occupation soldiers arrested a three year old. For throwing stones."


On October 25, 2015, SAIA posted an article on Facebook claiming that “peace activist” Hashem Azzeh was “assassinated” by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). In October 2015, Al Azzeh died following a battle with a cardiac condition. Palestinian news sources later claimed Al Azzeh’s death was caused by the IDF’s use of tear gas nearby.


On October 3, 2015, SAIA shared a video on Facebook and commented: “An Israeli Zionist lynch mob cheers the cold-blooded murder of 19 year old Fadi Alloun.” 


Fadi Aloon was shot by Israeli security forces after he stabbed a 15-year-old Israeli boy. Several hours before the attack, Aloon posted “Either martyrdom or victory” on his Facebook page. 


In October 2015, there was an upsurge in violence across Israel incited by Palestinian political and religious leaders. The wave of stabbings, known as the “Knife Intifada,” was characterized by young Palestinians throughout the country stabbing and attempting to stab Israeli civilians.

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.


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.


Social Media and Weblinks

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/1334572586

Twitter:https://twitter.com/nuyorican94

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucas-rodriguez-037b9616b/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nuyorican94/ [private]

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