Mahmoud Awadallah
Overview
Mahmoud Awadallah demonized and spread hatred of Israel in his capacity as the 2020 Outreach Chair of the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapter at DePaul University (DePaul). In 2019, Awadallah was a team member of SJP DePaul.Awadallah attended SJP Chicago’s second annual summit in 2019 as well as the 2019 National SJP Conference.
NSJP 2017 was held October 27-29, 2017 at the University of Houston (UH). The conference was themed “A Reimagined World: Dismantling Walls from Palestine to the Rio Grande.” Per the 2017 National SJP Conference website, the conference aimed to strengthen “collaborative efforts within all regions to pass BDS” and envision “pathways to achieving sanctions in the future.”
Awadallah was also affiliated with American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) in 2019, and helped lead AMP’s 2019 12th Annual Conference, Campus Activism Track (CAT), in Chicago.
As of July 2020, Awadallah indicated on Facebook that he was a student at DePaul, and stated on his Twitter bio that he was slated to graduate in 2022.
Also as of July 2020, Awadallah also stated on Facebook that he worked at Turmusaya Jewelry - رات ترمسعيا in Burbank, Illinois.
Demonizing Israel
On July 1, 2020, Awadallah tweeted: “Quick reminder that the United States has given Isra*l $142.3 billion since 1946 to continue the ongoing illegal occupation, and ethnic cleansing of Palestine. #NoToAnnexation.”
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.
On June 30, 2020, Awadallah tweeted: “The annexation of the West Bank during #COVID19, a global pandemic, is reckless and shows a lack of concern for Palestinian lives. Palestinians are already struggling to get medical supplies because of Israeli blockades - this plan only puts more lives at risk #NoToAnnexation.”
On May 15, 2020, Awadalllah produced and posted an SJP DePaul video titled “72 years since Al Nakba” to his TikTok account, and wrote: “May 15th is Nakba day. FREE PALESTINE 🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸#palestine #arab #middleeastern.”
In the video, Awadalllah featured [00:00:01] with the caption: “On May 15th 1948, Israel carried out an ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian People known as Al Nakba.”
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.
On November 20, 2019, Awadallah led [00:01:32] an SJP Chicago “Die-In Rally for Gaza” co-hosted by SJP DePaul and 6 other Illinois-based SJP chapters.
The event description stated: “This weeks bombing in Gaza is part of the larger ethnic cleansing of Palestine and a reoccurring attack on Gaza [sic]. Join us in a die-in to let the world know Chicago condemns Israel's war crimes!” During the event, participants lay [00:05:36] on their backs, next to a sign that read: “Gaza Open Air Prison.”
During the rally, Awadallah spoke into a bullhorn, declaring [00:03:11]: “We, as students of SJP Chicago, are here today to condemn Israel’s constant assault on the Palestinian people” and added [00:03:26] “...we condemn the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people.”
Awadallah also stated [00:08:19]: “On December of 2008, 200 Palestinians were killed and more than 700 were injured. July of 2014 Israel began a 50-day assault on Gaza that left 2,200 Palestinians dead, nearly 500 of them were children.”
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.
Israel commenced Operation Protective Edge (OPE) in July 2014, to stop rocket fire targeting Israeli civilians and to destroy Hamas attack tunnels.
Awadallah also said [00:10:58]: “[A]fter everything that’s happened, you’d expect some kind of response from the world, yet all of Israel’s war crimes are going unnoticed. Well we are here today to make sure that Chicago condemns and is one hundred percent against the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people.”
Spreading Hatred of Israel
On May 16, 2020, Awadallah hosted two videos live-streamed on SJP Chicago’s Instagram page, titled: “Quarantine with Falasteen,” as part [00:30:24] of SJP Chicago’s “Digital Apartheid Week.”
Awadallah started the event by stating [00:02:26] that, in honor of Nakba day, “We are celebrating the Palestinian resistance that has been going on for 72 years.”
During the event, Awadallah hosted singer Mary Hazboun, who sang [00:23:07] a song “very dear” to her heart, from when she was in Bethlehem during the second intifada. Hazboun added [00:23:28]: “it’s dedicated to the martyrs Shahada.” The Shahada is the Muslim confession of faith.
The second intifada (2000-2005) was characterized by more than 120 suicide bombings targeting Israeli civilians on buses and in cafes.
Awadallah also hosted then-SJP DePaul President Alexis Judeh, who claimed [00:06:34], in a rap performed [00:03:46] with her sister Yolanda: “we the products of colonial uprooting.” [00:07:33] We are here to dance Debkas on the throats of our oppressors…. [00:07:40] because there is no peace on stolen land.”
After Yolanda asked [00:08:53] “How many intifadas will it take?” and said: [00:09:34]: “We are the culture you desire. If not, you wouldn’t have stolen it.” Judeh stated [00:09:38]: “We are the living proof what there are things that apartheid canot eradicate. We are that. Resisting continues as long as we’re here to see it through.”
Awadallah also hosted [00:29:49] Amer Zahr, a University of Detroit Mercy professor who has expressed support for terrorists, spread hatred of Israel and demonized Zionism,
On February 27, 2020, Awadallah appeared in an SJP DePaul photo taken during aFebruary 26, 2020 event, titled: “Oppose Trump’s Steal of the Century,” mocking then-U.S. President Trump’s proposed peace plan involving territorial exchange.
The Facebook event description added: “The only just ‘solution’ to the oppressive Israeli occupation in Palestine is the complete return of ALL land back to the Palestinian people. The event featured a series of misleading maps.
The maps claim that lands once controlled by Britain, Egypt and Jordan as autonomous “Palestinian land” were purportedly stolen by Israel. In February 2016, publisher McGraw-Hill Education recalled copies of a college textbook containing the fraudulent maps. In October 2015, American cable news network MSNBC apologized for airing a similar series of maps and retracted them.
On June 3, 2019, Awadallah appeared in an SJP Chicago group photo while participating in a May 30, 2019 demonstratio, titled “AIPAC is Not Welcome in Chicago.”The event was held to “protest the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)-Chicago Annual Event,” and was co-hosted by SJP Chicago.
The event description stated: “AIPAC, a major arm of the Israel Lobby, is the main advocate in the U.S. for Israel's ethnic cleansing of Palestine and other human rights violations against the Palestinian people.” The description also claimed: “AIPAC is a supporter of the rabidly racist administrations in both Israel and the U.S.”
On May 10, 2019, Awadallah appeared in a photo posted by SJP DePaul while presenting during a May 9, 2019 “Israel Apartheid Week [IAW]” event titled: “Cafe Resistance.”
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.
SJP Activism
On October 25, 2019, Awadallah posted two group photos posted by SJP DePaul to Facebook taken during on October 23, 2019, SJP DePaul co-hosted an event titled: “From Palestine to the Philippines, Stop the U.S. War Machine.”
On May 7, 2019, Awadallah posed in an SJP DePaul photo holding an art piece of the Palestinian flag, during SJP DePaul’s “All out for Palestine” event!.
On that same day, SJP DePaul added on their Instagram post about the event: “[We] discussed the idea of the Right of Return as well as BDS.”
On September 1, 2018, Awadallah posed for an SJP DePaul group photo posted to Instagram, as part of the SJP DePaul team.
AMP Activism
Awadallah played a leadership role at AMP’s 12th Conference, Campus Activism Track (CAT) held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Chicago Illinois from November 28-30, 2019.
On November 29, 2019, Awadallah served as the moderator of the session: “Activism with no fear: Dealing with Zionists on Campus.” The panel was described as “A panel of SJP students” discussing “how they dealt with issues caused by Zionists on campus.The founder of SJP and AMP, Hatem Bazian, served as the panel advisor.
Bazian has spread classic anti-Semitism, reportedly promoted religious anti-Semitism, denied Jewish peoplehood and Jewish history and has compared Israel to Nazi Germany. He has also called for “intifada” in America, defended the Hamas terror group and expressed support for terrorists..
Attending the 2019 National SJP Conference
On November 3, 2019, Awadallah posed for an SJP Chicago Instagram group photo, with the caption “Some of our beautiful SJP Chicago members repping their universities at the National Students for Justice in Palestine Conference!”
On November 1, 2019, Awadallah filmed an SJP Chicago Instagram story, with the caption: “NSJP GANG.”
On November 1, 2019, Awadallah appeared in a group photo posted in an SJP DePaul’s Instagram story, with the caption: “NSJP GANG.”
The 2019 National SJP Conference was held at the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities (UMN), from November 1-3. The Conference themes centered on support for BDS as well as the rejection of Israel and Zionism.
The Conference partnered with numerous anti-Israel organizations and conducted their event in a clandestine manner.
During the Conference, National SJP speakers reportedly “noted the success of past divestment campaigns at the University [UMN], which ultimately resulted in the passing of a campus-wide [BDS] referendum in 2018.”
The UMN resolution passed in 2018 by a margin of 3.4 percent of those students who voted, translating to approval by 6.18% of all eligible voters. Less than 13% of the eligible voters actually voted on UMN’s BDS referendum.
The website clarified that “the Palestinian struggle against Zionism, extends beyond the confines of 1967, and well before the Nakba,” and was based on the rejection of Jewish national self-determination in Israel.
Nakba is an Arabic term for “catastrophe” and refers to the outcome of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. It is a term often used to delegitimize the creation of the State of Israel.
Keynote speakers included Loubna Qutami, Chair of PYM, as well as Taher Herzallah of American Muslims for Palestine (AMP). Other speakers included Miko Peled, Sandra Tamari, Suhad Katib, Chris Gazaleh, Clarissa Bitar, Tariq Luthun, Maytha Alhassen and Sima Shakhsari.
The Conference partnered with numerous anti-Israel organizations and conducted their event in a clandestine manner.
2019 National SJP - Supporting BDS
The Conference website called to capitalize on shifts in the political climate, represented by the elections to the U.S. Congress of Representatives Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, who both support BDS. National SJP speakers also reportedly drew attention to Rep. Omar’s support for the BDS movement as the Representative for UMN’s Congressional district.During the Conference, National SJP speakers reportedly “noted the success of past divestment campaigns at the University [UMN], which ultimately resulted in the passing of a campus-wide [BDS] referendum in 2018.”
The UMN resolution passed in 2018 by a margin of 3.4 percent of those students who voted, translating to approval by 6.18% of all eligible voters. Less than 13% of the eligible voters actually voted on UMN’s BDS referendum.
2019 National SJP - Rejecting Israel and Zionism
The 2019 National SJP Conference website indicated that the goal of their “solidarity movement” was to push for policies that “demanded the end of” the state of Israel, referred to as “the Israeli occupation.”The website clarified that “the Palestinian struggle against Zionism, extends beyond the confines of 1967, and well before the Nakba,” and was based on the rejection of Jewish national self-determination in Israel.
Nakba is an Arabic term for “catastrophe” and refers to the outcome of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. It is a term often used to delegitimize the creation of the State of Israel.
2019 National SJP - Heightened Secrecy
The 2019 National SJP Conference required attendees to be “verified and vouched for” by an SJP chapter to which they belonged and required each chapter to register as a group. The conference also required each group to be verified by a “reference––someone who is NOT going to this conference but who is or has recently been a part of your SJP.”Members of allied student groups could register only as part of an SJP chapter delegation which, in turn, needed to be “vouched for by their campus’s SJP” for “security culture and accountability reasons.”
The Conference also restricted media access to journalists “registered and confirmed by our Media Committee in advance to attend the conference. Absolutely no exceptions will be made.”
During the Conference, National SJPreportedly covered the windows of the conference hall.
2019 National SJP - Partnering Organizations
National SJP partnered with other anti-Israel organizations to table, sell merchandise and lead workshops, including CODEPINK, Palestine Youth Movement (PYM), Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), US Palestinian Community Network (USPCN), Palestine Legal, Watan Palestine and the Adalah Justice Project.Keynote speakers included Loubna Qutami, Chair of PYM, as well as Taher Herzallah of American Muslims for Palestine (AMP). Other speakers included Miko Peled, Sandra Tamari, Suhad Katib, Chris Gazaleh, Clarissa Bitar, Tariq Luthun, Maytha Alhassen and Sima Shakhsari.
SJP DePaul - Support for BDS
On February 25, 2019, SJP DePaul shared a video on Facebook titled: “DePaul Students Protest Anti-BDS Legislation.”The post featured a video of SJP DePaul activists on campus opposing [00:00:06] the Congressional bill titled S.1 - Strengthening America's Security in the Middle East Act of 2019. SJP DePaul activists lined up, with duct tape covering their mouths, holding [00:00:20] various signs.
One activist held [00:00:37] a sign, referring to the Israeli Hummus brand, Sabra, that read: “SABRA IS MADE WITH PALESTINIAN BLOOD.”
Another activist held [00:00:44] a sign that read: “SJP DePaul stands with BDS…”
SJP DePaul - Spreading Anti-Israel Propaganda
On February 19, 2019, SJP DePaul shared a statement on Instagram by SJP at the University of Chicago (UofC) in support of Ilhan Omar, and commented: “Students for Justice in Palestine Chicago is proud to support Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar in her brave and frank callout of the Israel lobby and its attempts to purchase American support for the occupation.”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 September 7, 2018, SJP DePaul shared a photo on Facebook of SJP activists manning a table with a banner that read “END ISRAELI APARTHEID” at an event called the “involvement fair.” The activists were promoting several books at the table, including “The Israel Lobby,” by John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt.
The book decries the influence of “the Israeli lobby” and repeats an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory about Jewish control over foreign governments.
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.
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.
Social Media and Weblinks
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/100001962035610Twitter: https://twitter.com/bagelm8 [Private]
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/swagster183/
Videos
4 videos
Photos & Screenshots
88 images
Infamous Quotes
“Quick reminder that the United States has given Isra*l $142.3 billion since 1946 to continue the ongoing illegal occupation, and ethnic cleansing of Palestine. #NoToAnnexation.”
“[A]fter everything that’s happened, you’d expect some kind of response from the world, yet all of Israel’s war crimes are going unnoticed. Well we are here today to make sure Chicago condemns and is one hundred percent against the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people.”
“We are celebrating the Palestinian resistance that has been going on for 72 years.”
