What Are Palestinian Demonstrators Ashamed Of?

Also appeared on my Times of Israel blog.

 

By David S. Levine

I ask this question as a former proud protestor and demonstrator (late 1960’s – early 1970s) and recently retired university professor. In just about every picture or video of pro-Palestinian demonstrators on the news today, nearly everyone is masked to hide their identity. Why?

As a pro-Palestinian demonstrator, you support the positions of all those slogans you are shouting for your cause and know what they mean. Like “jihad now” and “from the river to the sea.” Why are you ashamed?

As an anti-Israel demonstrator, I am sure you read the founding charters of the Palestine Authority and Hamas, as well as the State of Israel’s declaration of independence, and understand what they stand for. Why are you ashamed?

As an informed demonstrator, of course you have read and watched the Arabic  articles and videos (translated or dubbed into English) from reputable sources like MEMRI, Honest Reporting, and “Revolution: In Their Own Words” explaining their position in their own words. Why are you ashamed?

As an inquisitive university student or left-leaning activist, you do know that Hamas, chosen by Gazans in their January 2006 election, is a designated international terrorist organization by many countries, including the United States. And that like the pro-Hamas Columbia agitator Mahmoud Khalil, supporting them is extremely illegal, whether you are a citizen or alien. Why are you ashamed?

Don’t you want your friends and family to be proud of you? Read and think for yourself. It is ok to trust your leaders and professors but still verify it. Then take off that mask, so you don’t have to be ashamed anymore.

# # #

 David S. Levine, MBA. Author of “Revolutions: In Their Own Words – What They Really Say About Their Causes”. Picture montage sources: https://www.jns.org/israel-has-to-make-it-clear-no-to-a-new-hamas-paradigm/; https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/mask-ban-laws-palestine-protesters-b2606339.html

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