A coalition of Jewish groups has filed a lawsuit against Palestinian groups, accusing them of being “collaborators and propagandists for Hamas.” The lawsuit comes in response to the escalating violence, vandalism, and antisemitism on college campuses, which has even led to the cancellation of graduation ceremonies. These rioters have been setting up encampments and engaging in acts of aggression, prompting the Jewish groups to take legal action against the Palestinian groups involved.
Greenberg Traurig, LLP, the National Jewish Advocacy Center, the Schoen Law Firm, and the Holtzman Vogel law firm have filed a lawsuit against AJP Educational Foundation Inc., also known as American Muslims for Palestine, and National Students for Justice in Palestine. The lawsuit was submitted to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern Division of Virginia, Alexandria Division.
Nine American and Israeli victims of the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel are the plaintiffs in this case. Among them are survivors of the attack, family members of those killed by Hamas, and civilians who are still affected by Hamas’ ongoing aggression. The lawsuit claims that AMP and NSJP organizers are providing deliberate and significant assistance to Hamas and its affiliates, resulting in continued harm to the plaintiffs. As a result, AMP and NSJP are held responsible for the damages caused by their support of Hamas’ acts of international terrorism.
The individuals claim that they have suffered a range of physical and emotional injuries due to the alleged violence carried out by AMP and NJSP. They are now seeking compensatory damages to address these damages.
Hamas, which stands for Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya (Islamic Resistance Movement), was officially labeled a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department in 1997. The National Counterterrorism Center acknowledges Hamas as the largest and most formidable militant group in the Palestinian territories, as well as one of the two main political parties in the region.
According to The Center Square, a lawsuit claims that AMP and NSJP are accused of being “collaborators and propagandists for Hamas”. This accusation is based on their response to a call made by a Hamas founder to organize “resistance” events on college campuses. As evidence, the NSJP published a “tool kit” for Palestinian students in the U.S. to counter Israeli “occupiers” and “Zionist media campaigns.”
According to a report by The Center Square, incidents of antisemitism and violence against Jews in America have surged by almost 400% since October 7. Furthermore, a separate report has highlighted the growing violence on college campuses, with leaders failing to effectively address the issue.
Republican and Democratic governors had different responses to the call for violence. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis took immediate action by issuing an emergency declaration. In addition, he instructed the state university system to deactivate pro-Palestinian student groups on campuses. Furthermore, law enforcement officers in Florida proactively cracked down on protestors.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has taken decisive action to address antisemitism, while state troopers have effectively handled rioters attempting to seize control of the University of Texas in Austin. In contrast to campuses in California and New York, which faced takeovers by pro-Hamas groups and had to cancel in-person instruction and graduation ceremonies, Texas and Florida campuses have remained secure, with rioters being apprehended, and graduation ceremonies proceeding as planned.
According to a poll conducted after the “day-of-rage” protests last October, a majority of Muslim-Americans, 57.5% to be precise, expressed the belief that Hamas was justified in attacking Israel as part of their struggle for a Palestinian state. This finding was reported by The Center Square.
U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Michigan, was among the participants, despite having been censured by Congress for her unwavering support of Hamas. Tlaib defended the phrase chanted by the rioters, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” stating that it symbolizes an aspiration for freedom, human rights, and peaceful coexistence, rather than promoting death, destruction, or hate.
According to Mark Goldfeder, CEO of the National Jewish Advocacy Center, the principle behind this case is straightforward: if someone confesses to aiding and abetting terrorists, it is crucial to take their words seriously.
Richard Edlin, Vice Chair of Greenberg Traurig, asserts that free speech does not encompass hate speech. He finds it profoundly ironic that individuals who brandish signs bearing messages like “Death to America” and “Death to Jews” believe they are shielded by free speech. However, Edlin emphasizes that they are mistaken. Free speech has never encompassed the active promotion of terrorism, nor has it protected the wanton destruction of private property or the brutalization of innocent individuals from various religious backgrounds, not solely Jews.
“The defendants will soon realize their grave misconception if they think they can establish operations in America with the intent to spread fear, threats, violence, and intimidation. Their aim to undermine our esteemed educational institutions, manipulate governmental policies, and impose Hamas’s malevolent ideology upon American or Israeli soil will be met with resolute opposition.”
