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Maya Shankar
Maya Shankar spoke at and participated in the pro-Hamas encampment at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) and at multiple anti-Israel rallies during Israel’s war against Hamas terrorists, launched after the October 7, 2023, terror attacks.
Hamas murdered approximately 1,200 Israelis and kidnapped hundreds that day. For more information, see the Canary Mission page on Hamas.
The Penn encampment was in support of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement.
As of January 2025, Maya Shankar's LinkedIn profile said Shankar was "an international student from Barcelona, Spain," and a JD candidate at Temple University's James E. Beasley School of Law, slated to graduate in May 2026. Temple is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
As of the same date, Shankar's Instagram bio said: "Maya Shankar 🍉... ☭ ...From the River to the Sea..."
The watermelon has been appropriated by terrorists and anti-Israel activists as a symbol of Palestinian "resistance" to "Israeli occupation," as it shares the Pan-Arab colors. It gained widespread popularity and usage following the Hamas terror attacks of October 7, 2023.
As of March 2025, Maya Shankar's LinkedIn said Shankar was "Co-Founder and President" of Temple's Law Students for Justice in Palestine (LSJP), a campus group modeled on anti-Israel Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP).
As of January 2025, Maya Shankar's LinkedIn said Shankar was located in Philadelphia.
Date: October 21, 2023
Organizers: Philly Palestine Coalition (PPC), Temple SJP: a chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP)
Location: City Hall, Philadelphia, PA
Event Flyer: Instagram
On October 21, 2023, protesters held a pro-Hamas rally in central Philadelphia where activists praised Hamas leaders like Abu Obeida. During the march to the rally, activists repeatedly chanted in support of Israel’s destruction and called for “Intifada” – a show of support for terrorism. Chants in Arabic were more explicit, as they incited religious violence and proclaimed: “ash-shahid habib Allah [the martyr is beloved by God]!”
One such pro-terror chant also demanding Israel’s destruction was: “There is only one solution! Intifada revolution! There is only one solution! Intifada revolution! Intifada, Intifada! Long live the Intifada! Intifada, Intifada! Long live the Intifada! From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free! From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free!”
Date: February 17, 2024
Organizers: PYM, PSL Philly: a chapter of the Party for Socialism & Liberation (PSL)
Location: Norris Square Park, Philadelphia
Event Flyer: Instagram
On February 17, 2024, PYM, PSL Philly and other anti-Israel organizations held a protest at Norris Square Park in Philadelphia.
Date: February 21, 2024
Organizers: Philly Palestine Coalition (PPC), Temple SJP: a chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP)
Location: Charles Library, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Event Flyer: Instagram
On February 21, 2024, Temple SJP held an anti-Israel "Die-In" event outside the university's Charles Library.
Date: April 25, 2024
Organizers: Philly Palestine Coalition (PPC)
Location: Penn campus, Philadelphia, PA
Event Flyer: Instagram
On April 25, 2024, anti-Israel activists from Penn, Temple University and Drexel University set up the "Gaza Solidarity Encampment" on the Penn campus to protest Israel's war against Hamas.
PPC also promoted the encampment by posting an Instagram graphic that said: "Join The Penn Encampment! Rally to Support Our Students and Stand With Gaza!"
The encampment was part of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement.
Date: May 6, 2024
Organizers: Philly Palestine Coalition (PPC)
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Event Flyer: Instagram
May 6, 2024 was Day 12 of the Penn Gaza Solidarity encampment, which was launched by the PPC. The encampment was set up by students from Penn, Temple University and Drexel University.
The Penn encampment was in support of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement.
The Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement was founded by pro-terror activist Omar Barghouti in 2005 to turn “Israel into a pariah state, as South Africa once was.” Barghouti has also called for Israel's destruction and the BDS movement demands would result in that same goal.
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 infiltrating university campuses through lobbying for “BDS resolutions.” In these cases, student governments propose resolutions to boycott or divestment from Israel or Israeli-affiliated entities. 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 and pro-terror activism on campus.
