Arab Resource and Organizing Center, backed by Tides Center, says Israel ‘entirely responsible for unfolding violence’
(Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
An activist group supported by a powerful California funding organization is calling on high school students across the country to participate in a “Walk Out for Gaza” protest on Wednesday. They are encouraging students to chant powerful slogans such as “Israel Israel you can’t hide, We charge you with genocide,” and “Free Free Palestine.”
The Arab Resource and Organizing Center (AROC), based in San Francisco and sponsored by the George Soros-funded Tides Center, is also sharing media talking points that accuse the United States of being “complicit” in the “genocide” of Palestinians. They are demanding an immediate ceasefire and distributing signs that read “Decolonize Palestine” and “Palestine Will be Free.” The group is urging teenagers to recruit their classmates and, at a designated time on Wednesday, to stand up and start chanting in class before moving the protest outside.
This high school walk-out follows a series of anti-Israel and anti-Semitic protests at universities nationwide, which have left Jewish students feeling unsafe. It also sheds light on the funding and organization behind these demonstrations. AROC previously co-sponsored an “All Out for Palestine” rally in San Francisco shortly after Hamas’s terrorist attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,000 civilians and countless injuries. During that protest, Palestinian demonstrators celebrated and chanted slogans in support of the intifada.
The Tides Center, the funder of AROC, is the fiscal sponsorship arm of a major Democratic funding network that includes the Tides Foundation and a donor-advised fund. These organizations provide financial support to progressive causes and candidates. Liberal billionaire George Soros is one of the network’s prominent donors, contributing millions of dollars to the Tides Center, Tides Foundation, and its advocacy enterprise through his Open Society Foundations.
AROC boldly declares on its webpage that it holds the Israeli regime entirely responsible for the ongoing violence in historic Palestine. The group states that it is committed to the struggle for freedom and justice in Palestine, both locally and globally.
In their walk-out toolkit for Wednesday, AROC includes a video post from Palestinian activist Mohammed el-Kurd, who criticizes the media’s portrayal of the Hamas government and warns against complicity in genocide. The group also links to Palestine Legal, a pro-Palestinian legal advocacy group that has supported Harvard Law students blaming Israel for the Hamas terror attacks.
The news of the walk-out has caused concern among Jewish families in the California Bay Area, where AROC is based. The local Jewish Community Relations Council has issued an alert to Jewish families, urging them to ensure that their school districts prioritize the safety of their children during the protests.
A spokesperson for the council revealed that the Bay Area Jewish community has experienced an increase in anti-Jewish rhetoric, particularly online, since the Hamas attacks. Following a rally in San Francisco, graffiti with the message ”Death to Zionism, Kill a Settler” was found on a storefront window on Market Street.
How does AROC’s affiliation with the Tides Center raise questions about its true intentions and agenda?
Ed in the outbreak of violence between Israel and Gaza. This rally included chants such as “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” a slogan often associated with the complete elimination of Israel as a Jewish state.
The Arab Resource and Organizing Center presents itself as a grassroots organization advocating for justice and equality. However, its affiliation with the Tides Center raises questions about its true intentions and agenda. The Tides Center, funded by George Soros, has been known to support organizations and causes that align with its own liberal ideologies. By backing AROC, it is clear that the Tides Center is indirectly endorsing the group’s anti-Israel sentiments.
AROC’s call for a nationwide walk-out and the use of inflammatory slogans is not only irresponsible but also contributes to the perpetuation of hatred and violence. Accusing Israel of genocide is not only factually incorrect but also undermines the complexity of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The situation in the Middle East is multifaceted, with both sides bearing responsibility for the ongoing violence.
By encouraging high school students to participate in these protests and advocating for the decolonization of Palestine, AROC is promoting a one-sided narrative that ignores the historical and political realities of the region. This oversimplification not only hinders productive discussions but also alienates individuals who may hold differing opinions.
Furthermore, the tactic of disrupting classrooms and school activities to promote a particular agenda is concerning and undermines the educational environment. Schools should be places of learning and dialogue, not platforms for political activism. Non-partisan discussions and education about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are crucial in fostering understanding and empathy among young people.
It is important to recognize that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a deeply complex issue with no simple solutions. Blaming one side entirely for the unfolding violence is not only unfair but also counterproductive. Instead, efforts should be focused on encouraging dialogue, understanding, and cooperation between the Israeli and Palestinian communities.
As individuals and communities, we must be wary of organizations and groups that promote inflammatory rhetoric and oversimplified narratives. True peace and justice can only be achieved through open and respectful dialogue, acknowledging the complexities and nuances of the situation and working towards a solution that respects the rights and aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians.
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