School’s Students for Justice in Palestine chapter praised ‘creativity’ of Hamas’s Oct. 7 terror attack
Pro-Palestinian protest at Tufts University (CBS Boston/YouTube)
A Tufts University student group on Wednesday unveiled a campus display honoring the names of Palestinian “martyrs”—including known Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists who died while attacking Israeli soldiers.
The school’s Students for Justice in Palestine chapter shared photos of the “glory to our martyrs” display, which included the names and ages of Palestinians whom the group suggested were unjustly killed. One such “martyr,” Ahmed Amer Salim Abu Junaid, was killed in a January “confrontation with the Zionist enemy army,” according to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, a designated terror group that claimed Abu Junaid as one of its own after his death.
Another honoree, Youssef Shreim, was a member of Hamas’s al-Qassam Brigades, the terrorist wing that spearheaded Hamas’s Oct. 7 assault on the Jewish state. Students for Justice in Palestine at Tufts also featured on their display Ezzedine Bassem Hamamreh, a Palestinian Islamic Jihad member who died during a January firefight with Israeli troops.
Anti-Semitic demonstrators on American college campuses have regularly chanted and displayed the phrase “glory to our martyrs.” At George Washington University, for example, the school’s Students for Justice in Palestine chapter projected the slogan onto a campus building in an unauthorized display. At least one professor at the university defended the stunt, arguing in a Nov. 17 op-ed that “glory to our martyrs” is a reference not to terrorism but to innocent civilians killed in Israel’s “bombardment.”
The Students for Justice in Palestine at Tufts display contradicts that argument. In addition to Abu Junaid, Shreim, and Hamamreh, another ”martyr” honored on the display was Saud al-Titi, who died in April while attempting to attack an Israeli military post. Al-Titi before the attempted attack served 15 years in prison, and a local Palestinian militant group he belonged to lauded him as a “resistance martyr” after his death. “We fought as soldiers and we promise we will always be soldiers,” al-Titi said in a video following his release from prison.
Students for Justice in Palestine at Tufts did not return a request for comment. It’s unclear who leads the group—while Tufts student groups are required to submit to the university an annual roster of ”organization leaders,” the school does not release that information publicly. Students for Justice in Palestine at Tufts has worked to shield itself from online scrutiny: It excluded its website from the Internet Archive, which allows users to view archived versions of a site. The group also uses virtual stickers of the Palestinian flag to obscure its members’ faces when posting protest photos.
A spokesman for the university—which is known for its substantial Jewish population—said the “glory to our martyrs” campus display is “being reviewed.”
“The university has previously made clear that it condemns the terrorism and atrocities that Hamas carried out against Israel on Oct. 7,” the Tufts spokesman told the Washington Free Beacon. “We are committed to following our processes regarding this incident, which is being reviewed, and will hold responsible any individual or group found to have violated university policies.”
Beyond the “glory to our martyrs” display featuring the names of dead Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists, Students for Justice in Palestine at Tufts also unveiled on Wednesday a large sign that said “Zionist tactics were used to kill George Floyd.” The sign featured a drawing of a pig in a police uniform and included the phrase “ACAB,” which stands for “all cops are bastards.” A third sign called to “end Israeli apartheid.”
Two days after Hamas’s Oct. 7 assault on Israel, meanwhile, the student group issued a statement celebrating what it called “a historic attack on the colonizers.”
“Footage of liberation fighters from Gaza paragliding into occupied territory has especially shown the creativity necessary to take back stolen land,” the statement said. “It has not been without cost, as hundreds of Palestinians have been martyred in the past days, fighting to liberate themselves and their land.”
The Anti-Defamation League’s New England chapter condemned that statement, calling it “obscene.”
How does the display honoring Palestinian “martyrs” by the Students for Justice in Palestine chapter at Tufts University contribute to the glorification of terrorism on college campuses?
Most “anti-Semitic” campus by the Anti-Defamation League in 2022—did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
This latest incident involving the Students for Justice in Palestine chapter at Tufts University is deeply troubling and raises serious concerns about the glorification of terrorism on college campuses. The display honoring the names of Palestinian ”martyrs,” including known Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists, is not only offensive but also perpetuates a dangerous narrative that promotes violence and hatred.
It is concerning that a student group, which should foster a safe and inclusive environment for all students, would support and praise individuals who have engaged in acts of terrorism against innocent civilians. The fact that these individuals are being celebrated and honored as “martyrs” by the Students for Justice in Palestine chapter only serves to legitimize violence and perpetuate a cycle of hatred and conflict.
This incident is not an isolated case, as pro-Palestinian groups on college campuses have been known to engage in similar behavior. The use of slogans such as “glory to our martyrs” and the projection of pro-Hamas messages on university buildings demonstrate a disturbing trend of sympathizing with terrorist organizations and glorifying their actions.
While it is important to foster dialogue and understanding on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it is equally important to condemn and reject any form of violence, terrorism, and the glorification of individuals involved in such acts. Universities have a responsibility to create an environment that promotes peace, tolerance, and respect for all students, regardless of their political beliefs.
By allowing student groups to openly support and praise individuals involved in acts of terrorism, universities not only undermine their own credibility as educational institutions but also contribute to the dangerous narrative that violence and terrorism are acceptable means to achieve political goals.
It is essential that universities take a strong stance against the glorification of terrorism and actively address the issue on their campuses. This includes providing education and awareness programs that promote understanding, diversity, and peaceful coexistence, as well as enforcing strict policies that prohibit the promotion of violence and hatred.
Furthermore, universities should also encourage open and respectful dialogue on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, allowing for a diversity of perspectives to be heard. This will help create an environment where students can engage in constructive discussions and challenge their own beliefs, fostering critical thinking and empathy.
The incident involving the Students for Justice in Palestine chapter at Tufts University serves as a reminder of the importance of promoting peace, understanding, and respect on college campuses. It is crucial that universities take immediate action to address this issue and ensure that such displays of support for terrorism are not tolerated or normalized.
By doing so, universities can send a clear message that they prioritize the safety and well-being of their students, and that they are committed to fostering an environment that promotes peace, tolerance, and respect.
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