Progressive anti-Israel agitators, affiliated with groups tied to far-left associations and backed by liberal mega-donor George Soros, have been seen mobilizing across the country, including at Columbia University in New York City. The National Students for Justice in Palestine (NSJP), with around 200 independent chapters, has been particularly vocal at Columbia University in recent days. NSJP operates under the Westchester Peace Action Committee Foundation (WESPAC), a fiscal sponsor that has received funding from a nonprofit linked to the Soros network. WESPAC has a history of espousing anti-Israel rhetoric, including accusations of “apartheid,” “ethnic cleansing,” and “war crimes.”
NSJP has been known to compare Israel’s treatment of Palestinians to Nazi Germany and the Jim Crow era in the United States, accuse Israel of genocide, and promote Hamas propaganda. The founder of NSJP, Hatem Bazian, has a history of antisemitic statements and ties to controversial figures like Rep. Rashida Tlaib. Bazian has donated thousands of dollars to various politicians, defended Hamas on social media, and supports the BDS movement. Videos on social media have shown Bazian seemingly celebrating acts of violence against Israel.
Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), another group active at Columbia University, has received funding from Soros-linked groups since 2016. JVP opposes U.S. assistance to Israel and supports allowing Palestinians to live on land within Israel vacated by Arabs during the Israeli War of Independence. Another Soros-backed group, U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights, has paid individuals to organize and attend anti-Israel protests across the country. JVP has also been active at other universities, passing out pamphlets that contain controversial statements.
Despite the protests and unrest at universities like Columbia, the Open Society Foundations, founded by George Soros, has stated that their funding supports a broad spectrum of groups advocating for the rights of Palestinians and Israelis. The Foundation claims to fight against antisemitism, Islamophobia, and all forms of racism and hate. They assert that their support for peaceful resolution to the conflict in Israel and the OPT is part of their commitment to continuing open debate and dialogue for peace in the region. While some have raised concerns about the involvement of dark money and radical associations in these protests, the Foundation maintains that peaceful protest is a bedrock principle of democracy.
The recent surge in anti-Israel activism at universities like Columbia has prompted criticism from various groups, including individuals who are concerned about the violent rhetoric being used by these organizations. StandWithUs CEO Roz Rothstein, for example, has condemned groups like NSJP for combining violent rhetoric with violations of university policies, threatening Jewish students on campus. The NYPD has also responded to the protests, affirming that officers will teach anti-Israel mobs about the consequences of their actions. As the situation continues to unfold, it is evident that the involvement of far-left groups and dark money in these protests has raised alarms among those advocating for peaceful resolution and open dialogue in the Israel-Palestine conflict.
