Suroor Abbas

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!”

On Saturday, October 7, 2023, thousands of 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.”

Many Palestinian civilians, including women and children, participated in and supported the October 7, 2023, Hamas terror attacks. Gazans who worked in the targeted Israeli communities gave intelligence to Hamas on which homes to strike.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas raped both women and men. Some were raped and murdered or mutilated. Hamas terrorists said they were given explicit orders to carry out those atrocities on both live victims and corpses.