Mazen Khalil

Overview

Mazen Khalil [Mazen W. Khalil] spread anti-Semitism, expressed support for terrorism and spread hatred of Israel. Khalil also participated in pro-Hamas rallies in October and November 2023 and early 2024.

Khalil’s activism took place in the wake of the Hamas terrorist attack and war crimes against Israeli civilians, including mass murder, torture, rape, beheadings and kidnappings, which were executed on October 7, 2023. The terror attacks left approximately 1,200 Israelis dead, hundreds kidnapped and thousands wounded. Israel retaliated with a war called “Swords of Iron.”

In 2023, Mazen was affiliated with the Council of American Islamic Relations (CAIR), Philadelphia chapter (CAIR Philly). Mazen was also affiliated with the Philadelphia Palestinian Americans, an online forum and community organization in Philadelphia that has organized and promoted anti-Israel rallies following Hamas’ attack on Israel.

On January 13,2016, Mazen was quoted on CBNews.com as a spokesman for the Muslim American Society of Philadelphia.

As of June 2024, Khalil was listed on City-Data.com as the owner of Ozzy’s Pizza Shop in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On July 20, 2023, Khalil posted on Instagram an advertisement for his services as a travel agent at Royal Travel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

As of August 2024, Khalil went by the username “Mazen W Khalil” and used the handle “@Ozzy1976” on Facebook. Khalil went by the username “Ozzy khalil” and used the handle “@mazenkhalil6” on X. Khalil used the handle “@mazenozzykhalil” on Instagram and TikTok.

As of August 2024, Khalil’s Facebook page said he lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Spreading Anti-Semitism

On October 11, 2023, Khalil posted a video on Instagram of American conspiracy theorist Rick Wiles saying [00:01:31]: “The Jews’ motto is rise up and kill first. They kill everybody. They don’t have a conscience about this stuff…”

Riles continued [00:01:45]: “They are racist. They have a racial superiority mentality and they view Palestinians as inferior subhumans.”

On October 12, 2023, Khalil posted another video on Instagram of Wiles which was headlined: “AMERICAN POLITICIANS ARE BOUGHT AND PAID FOR BY ISRAEL.”

The assertion that Jews use money as a means of control is a classic anti-Semitic conspiracy theory.

In the video, Wiles said [00:00:01]: “Most of America’s conservatives are paid shills for Zionism and true conservatives in this country need to wake up and stop supporting these fakes.”

Zionism is the belief that Jews have the right to self-determination in their own national home, and the right to develop their national culture.

On November 17, 2023, Khalil posted a video on Instagram titled: “THE TRUTH ABOUT ZIONISM.”In the video, the voiceover said [00:00:22]: “...Zionism is like a cult. Not even tied to any religion….”

One way anti-Israel activists spread anti-Semitism is by denying [00:17:45] Jewish history, with the aim of delegitimizing restored Jewish sovereignty, attacking Israel’s legitimacy and portraying Jews as foreign to the Land of Israel.

The voiceover continued [00:01:11]: “Zionism is a mindset. One that is blind. One with no heart. One with no regards to life. One that positions power and money over all. Over what’s right…And sadly, Zionists run our world.”

The assertion that Jews secretly control the Western governments through banking and finance is traced to the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, a fabricated anti-Semitic text that portrays wealthy Jews as conspiring to take over the world. This anti-Semitic conspiracy theory has often employed the imagery from Nazi cartoons that depict Jews as octopuses encircling the globe.

Support for Terrorism

On October 7, 2023, Khalil wrote on Facebook: “What is happening today is a natural result of the arrogance of power, and Israel’s persistence in committing its horrific crimes against our people. The Palestinian people have the right to defend themselves, their land and property, and to protect their sanctities, when their voice is not heard. Free Palestine.”

On Saturday, October 7, 2023, approximately 2,900 heavily armed Hamas terrorists breached Israel’s border with Gaza. They executed numerous war crimes on civilians, including mass murder, beheadings of children, rape of men and women, torture, kidnappings and mutilation.

Hamas broadcast videos of their butchery on social media, often to victims’ accounts for families to see. Israel retaliated with a war called “Swords of Iron.” As of November 10, 2023, approximately 1,200 Israelis, the vast majority of them civilians, were murdered during the attacks. Hamas kidnapped 242 Israelis, including at least 30 children. At least 3,500 people were wounded, many severely.

A terrorist detained by Israel admitted he raped an Israeli woman when he broke into a kibbutz house during the October 7, 2023 attack. In March 2024, a former hostage of Hamas publicly stated she was sexually abused and tortured while in captivity.

For more information on the October 7, 2023 terror attacks, see the Canary Mission page on Hamas.

Also on October 7, 2023, Khalil posted a TikTok video on Instagram of anti-Israel activist Jonathan Randall in which Randall said [00:00:20]: “Let’s be clear. This was in no way an unprovoked attack. This is a response to over 70 years of oppression, ethnic cleansing, apartheid, settler violence, murder!…”

Randal also said [00:00:47]: “There is a difference between terrorism and resistance.”

Anti-Israel activists use the term “resistance” to refer to violence and terror perpetrated against Israeli civilians and their allies. It is used to glorify and encourageanti-Israel and anti-Semitic violence. Anti-Israel activists chant slogans such as: “Resistance by any means necessary!” and “Resistance is justified when people are occupied!” in response to terror attacks.

Hatred of Israel

On October 17, 2023, Khalil wrote on Facebook: “The cold-blooded massacre committed against hundreds of Palestinian civilians sheltering in the Baptist Hospital(Ahli Arabi Hospital) in Gaza City by Israeli occupation forces (IOF) will forever remain a stain on the conscience of humanity…”

On October 17, 2023, the terror group Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) fired rockets at Israel from Gaza, one of which misfired and fell on the parking lot of the al-Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital. Initial media reports blamed Israel. Following the incident, U.S. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib immediately accused the Biden administration of funding Israel’s “genocide” of Palestinian people.

In the same Facebook post, Khalil also accused Israel of “wanton killing, starvation and forced transfer, with no end in sight” and “targeting civilian areas by air, land and sea and threats to commit mass murders.”

On January 14, 2024, Khalil wrote on Facebook in a joint post with Mahmoud Siyam: “Western media hid the truth from the American public for 75 years, but the truth finally reached them.” Khalil posted included a video of himself interviewing attendees at an anti-Israel rally organized by American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) in Washington, D.C. a day earlier.

At the rally, protesters reportedly attempted to breach a security fence outside the White House while they chanted [00:00:28] “Takbir Allah Hu Akbar [God is great].” Protesters at the rally also chanted [00:02:39]: “From the sea to the river, Palestine will live forever.”

“From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be Free” is a chant used [00:02:47] to call for the elimination of 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. In April 2024, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution condemning the chant as antisemitic.

Anti-Israel Activism

On October 17, 2023, Khalil participated in a pro-Hamas rally in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania organized by the Philadelphia Palestinian Americans.
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Protesters at the rally chanted [00:00:13]: “5-6-7-8, Israel is a terrorist state!” One protester held a sign that read [00:00:21]: “RESISTANCE TO COLONIALISM IS A DUTY NOT A CRIME. FREE ALL PALESTINE.”

In November 2023, Khalil co-led the Gaza Billboard & Advocacy Campaign, launched by CAIR Philly.

On November 16, 2023, Khalil participated in a “Stand Up for Gaza Janazah & Multifaith Call To Action” rally hosted by the Philly Palestine Coalition (PPC), CAIR Philly and the Philadelphia chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP). The rally was held outside the First Unitarian Church in Philadelphia to demand a ceasefire and to demonize Israel’s military response to Hamas’s terror attack.

Protesters at the rally held large banners that read: “CEASEFIRE NOW” while others said [00:00:21]: “Resist Until Return.”

The “right of return” is a Palestinian demand discredited as a means to eliminate Israel. International law mandates no absolute right of return and UN Resolution 194, which defined principles for “refugees wishing to return to their homes,” was unanimously rejected by Arab nations following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.

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.