Sarah Samara

Date: October 12, 2023

Organizers: Philly Palestine Coalition (PPC)

Location: WHYY Public Radio bldg., Philadelphia, PA

Event Flyer: Instagram

On October 12, 2023, PPC organized a pro-Hamas march where protesters chanted in support of terrorism and called for Israel’s destruction. As the crowd marched, they chanted: “From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free!...Resistance is justified when people are occupied!” The marchers later chanted: “Intifada, intifada! Long live the intifada!” They also repeatedly shouted: “There is only one solution! Intifada, revolution!”

Jordan Vaughan, an organizer with PPC, addressed the crowd: “Long live the resistance! And land back by any means necessary!” The crowd cheered in support. The crowd again cheered when Nada Abuasi, another PPC organizer, said that over “the last few days the people of Gaza have broken out and reminded us of our right to resist!” She later promoted hatred of America and then stated: “We will not stand down…until Palestine is free from the River to the Sea!” The crowd cheered again.

On October 15, 2023, anti-Israel groups held a pro-Hamas rally in Philadelphia where protesters chanted in support of terrorism and called for Israel’s destruction. Susan Abulhawa, a local anti-Israel activist, equated Israel with Nazi Germany. Her statement was met with cheers. She also denied the Hamas war crimes of October 7, 2023, earlier in her speech.

Date: December 16, 2023

Organizers: JVP Philly: a chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), Philly Palestine Coalition (PPC), CAIR Philly: a chapter of Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR)

Location: City Hall, Philadelphia, PA

Event Flyer: Instagram

On December 16, 2023, anti-Israel activist groups held a pro-Hamas march and rally titled: “Flood Philly For Gaza.” Protesters repeatedly chanted in support of terrorism, called for Israel’s destruction and also spread hatred of the Philadelphia police.

The language of “flood” is a reference to Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, the name Hamas used for their terror operation on October 7, 2023. It is a reference to the allegation that Jews “threaten” to destroy Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque. This accusation has been a pretext for Arab attacks on Jews long before Israel was founded in 1948. Such propaganda has led to multiple periods of violence against Israeli civilians.