Opinion: A Gazan's Plea, How College Campus Protests Are Harming the Palestinian Cause

[Social Media]

 

You've heard about those college campus protests popping up across the United States? Yeah, they're all about supporting Palestinian rights. But here's the twist: not everyone waving those banners really has our best interests at heart. As a Palestinian from Gaza, it's tough for me to speak out against those who claim to stand with us. But I can't stay silent when I see our cause being damaged rather than helped by their actions.

 

Let me break it down for you. What would really make a difference for us Gazans? Calling out Hamas' atrocities, for starters. But instead of that, these protesters are chanting about "Globalizing the Intifada," oblivious to the fact that past Intifadas brought nothing but disaster for both Palestinians and Israelis. It's like rubbing salt in our wounds, especially when we're still reeling from recent tragedies like the events of October 7.

 

And it doesn't stop there. Instead of speaking up for all the innocent victims of Hamas—Palestinian and Israeli alike—they're practically cheering on Hamas with slogans like "by any means necessary" and "from the river to the sea." Do they even realize what they're endorsing? Hamas, with its goal of wiping out millions of Israelis, doesn't exactly have our best interests in mind.

 

 

You'd think maybe these protesters just don't know the full story, right? I mean, I've seen them waving LGBTQ flags while chanting lines from Hamas' charter. It's like they're unaware that Hamas would sooner throw them off a building than accept them. And let's not forget how Hamas treats women who dare to speak out or how they've tortured those who've dared to protest against them—like they did to me.

 

But here's where it gets even worse: these protests have turned into hotbeds of hate speech. I've personally witnessed people hurling antisemitic slurs at Jewish students, telling them to "go back to Poland" and worse. It's gotten so bad that some Jewish students are avoiding campus altogether to escape the hostility. And that's just not right.

 

But what really gets me is the hypocrisy. Where were these protesters when Hamas was wreaking havoc in Gaza, slaughtering hundreds of our own people and holding millions of us captive for over 17 years? Did they speak up when Hamas' missiles killed hundreds more of us on October 7? Nope, they were nowhere to be found. It's like they only care about Palestinians when it suits their anti-Israel agenda.

 

As a Gazan, I want these protesters to know that their hateful speech isn't helping anyone. That Jewish student they're intimidating might be the granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor or the relative of someone killed by Hamas. If these protests were really about peace and justice for both Palestinians and Israelis, they'd be embracing everyone—not just those who fit their narrative.

 

And here's the kicker: some of these groups have actually been blocking peace activists like me from joining their protests. Can you believe that? Instead of welcoming us with open arms, they're shutting us out. But here's the thing: if they really cared about Palestinians, they'd be demanding one thing above all else: Hamas must surrender. Because until we're free from the grip of that terrorist group, there can be no peace.

 

So, to all the protesters out there, I have a simple message: let's work together for real change. Let's put aside the hate and focus on what really matters: freedom and justice for all. Because at the end of the day, we're all here to stay—Palestinians and Israelis alike.

 

Hamza Howidy is a Palestinian from Gaza City

 

2024-04-29

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

[retarius]

Rubbish. These kids have morals, people who support genocide have no morals worth talking about. Anecdotes are not evidence. 

[koolkarl]

Hamas gives themselves up instead of hiding in Qatar, release all hostages and give the stolen billions back to the palestinians and all stops.  Hamas are terrorists and very good at propaganda that the airhead world falls for hook, line and sinker. Those tunnels took years to build and not a single palestinian saw anything?  Terrorists wear civilian clothes, like cowards, and hide in schools, hospitals, etc.  The palestinians turn them in and their misery stops.

[JonnyF]

A well written piece.

 

Although I would add you have to cut the students some slack, they are young and naive. Just following what the leftist professors and lecturers are indoctrinating them with. Back when I was a Uni student I thought socialism was a good idea and I even voted for Labour once. Embarrassing but true. We grow up, we gain experience and we learn.

 

Well, most of us do.😃

 

 

[Bkk Brian]

1 hour ago, retarius said:

Rubbish. These kids have morals, people who support genocide have no morals worth talking about. Anecdotes are not evidence. 

These kids have Iran and Yemen rooting for them, they are being useful idiots for them

[charleskerins]

20 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

A well written piece.

 

Although I would add you have to cut the students some slack, they are young and naive. Just following what the leftist professors and lecturers are indoctrinating them with. Back when I was a Uni student I thought socialism was a good idea and I even voted for Labour once. Embarrassing but true. We grow up, we gain experience and we learn.

 

Well, most of us do.😃

 

 

and what have " we " learned ?

[JonnyF]

1 hour ago, charleskerins said:

and what have " we " learned ?

 

In a nutshell?

 

Socialism doesn't work and Labour are a bunch of charlatans. 

[Chomper Higgot]

2 hours ago, JonnyF said:

A well written piece.

 

Although I would add you have to cut the students some slack, they are young and naive. Just following what the leftist professors and lecturers are indoctrinating them with. Back when I was a Uni student I thought socialism was a good idea and I even voted for Labour once. Embarrassing but true. We grow up, we gain experience and we learn.

 

Well, most of us do.😃

 

 

 

Posting in the wrong thread Jonny?

 

There’s absolutely no mention of socialism in the OP and Labour haven’t been in Government in the UK for over 14 years, their influence on students at U.S. universities is something for you to explain.

[JonnyF]

4 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

 

Posting in the wrong thread Jonny?

 

There’s absolutely no mention of socialism in the OP and Labour haven’t been in Government in the UK for over 14 years, their influence on students at U.S. universities is something for you to explain.

 

Just giving an example of how students can be naive.

 

Report the post if it's upsetting you.  

[Chomper Higgot]

7 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Just giving an example of how students can be naive.

 

Report the post if it's upsetting you.  

Jonny, you demonstrating how hopelessly ill-informed and repetitively off topic you are doesn’t bother me in the least, your reputation, your right to trash it.

 

[JonnyF]

7 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Jonny, you demonstrating how hopelessly ill-informed and repetitively off topic you are doesn’t bother me in the least, your reputation, your right to trash it.

 

 

Your reputation is that of an argumentative troll.

 

Nothing to trash. 

[Denim]

The OP looks like it was written by AI.

 

There was a thread recently announcing that the new site owners would be using AI articles and that links would not always be provided.

 

The whole paragraph about how Hamas would throw LGBTQ protesters off roofs seems to have been filched from another article.

[Nick Carter icp]

4 hours ago, retarius said:

Rubbish. These kids have morals, people who support genocide have no morals worth talking about. Anecdotes are not evidence. 

 

   There is no genocide going on though , supporting terrorists isn't "moral"

'

[Rimmer]

A conspiracy troll post has been removed

[billd766]

4 hours ago, koolkarl said:

Hamas gives themselves up instead of hiding in Qatar, release all hostages and give the stolen billions back to the palestinians and all stops.  Hamas are terrorists and very good at propaganda that the airhead world falls for hook, line and sinker. Those tunnels took years to build and not a single palestinian saw anything?  Terrorists wear civilian clothes, like cowards, and hide in schools, hospitals, etc.  The palestinians turn them in and their misery stops.

What will happen then? Do you truly think that Israel and the IDF will stop the war, go back into their own lands and never again fire another shot at the Palestinians. Netanyahu has vowed to completely destroy Hamas. If Hamas gives up, do you truly believe that Netanyahu will also? Will he ever stop stealing Palestinian lands and giving it to illegal Israeli "settlers"?  Even if he has to kill every man, woman and child in Gaza to do so. Will he also stop attacking the Palestinians in the West Bank and in Lebanon? Will he stop attacking Iran?

 

Netanyahu ignores the rest of the world including the USA.

 

Israel had a lot of countries as friends until he, personally ordered the destruction of Hamas and Gaza. Now his "friends" are much fewer and he cannot afford to keep upsetting them, but he will, simply because he thinks he can.

[Nick Carter icp]

2 minutes ago, billd766 said:

What will happen then? Do you truly think that Israel and the IDF will stop the war, go back into their own lands and never again fire another shot at the Palestinians. Netanyahu has vowed to completely destroy Hamas. If Hamas gives up, do you truly believe that Netanyahu will also? Will he ever stop stealing Palestinian lands and giving it to illegal Israeli "settlers"?  Even if he has to kill every man, woman and child in Gaza to do so. Will he also stop attacking the Palestinians in the West Bank and in Lebanon? Will he stop attacking Iran?

 

 

   Gaza is a different place to the West bank .

If the Palestinians and Arabs chose peace with Israel , then the hostilities would stop .

If Iran chose peace with Israel , then Israel wouldn't need to war with Iran .

Israel doesn't want war and hostilities and would prefer peace 

[Nick Carter icp]

11 minutes ago, billd766 said:

 

Israel had a lot of countries as friends until he, personally ordered the destruction of Hamas and Gaza. Now his "friends" are much fewer and he cannot afford to keep upsetting them, but he will, simply because he thinks he can.

 

   Israel is concerned with its own survival , being friends with other Countries is of little concern .

Israel will defend itself and fight against its attackers , other countries can unfriend Israel if they want to 

[Chomper Higgot]

44 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   There is no genocide going on though , supporting terrorists isn't "moral"

'

The allegations of genocide are under investigation.
 

The ICJ has issued a ruling detailing what steps Israel must take to avoid the increased risk of genocide, there is little evidence of Israel complying with that ruling.

 

 

[Nick Carter icp]

Just now, Chomper Higgot said:

The allegations of genocide are under investigation.
 

The ICJ has issued a ruling detailing what steps Israel must take to avoid the increased risk of genocide, there is little evidence of Israel complying with that ruling.

 

  Just look at the numbers of deaths to see that there's no genocide going on .

Israel would be bombing Rafah now if they wanted to carry out a genocide , instead Israel is providing accommodation for Palestinians to move to , so they have somewhere to go when leaving Rafah.

   That isn't genocide

[radiochaser]

2 hours ago, JonnyF said:

 

In a nutshell?

 

Socialism doesn't work and Labour are a bunch of charlatans. 

Too many politicians of all ilk, are charlatans!

[Bkk Brian]

13 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

The allegations of genocide are under investigation.
 

The ICJ has issued a ruling detailing what steps Israel must take to avoid the increased risk of genocide, there is little evidence of Israel complying with that ruling.

 

 

How would you know there is little evidence of Israel complying. You said you watched the BBC version of the Former International Court of Justice President Joan Donoghue interview. If so you will know what she said about that yes?

[Bkk Brian]

36 minutes ago, billd766 said:

What will happen then? Do you truly think that Israel and the IDF will stop the war, go back into their own lands and never again fire another shot at the Palestinians. Netanyahu has vowed to completely destroy Hamas. If Hamas gives up, do you truly believe that Netanyahu will also? Will he ever stop stealing Palestinian lands and giving it to illegal Israeli "settlers"?  Even if he has to kill every man, woman and child in Gaza to do so. Will he also stop attacking the Palestinians in the West Bank and in Lebanon? Will he stop attacking Iran?

 

Netanyahu ignores the rest of the world including the USA.

 

Israel had a lot of countries as friends until he, personally ordered the destruction of Hamas and Gaza. Now his "friends" are much fewer and he cannot afford to keep upsetting them, but he will, simply because he thinks he can.

Ignorant rant with baseless accusations

[Nick Carter icp]

39 minutes ago, billd766 said:

 Even if he has to kill every man, woman and child in Gaza to do so. Will he also stop attacking the Palestinians in the West Bank and in Lebanon? Will he stop attacking Iran?

 

 

 

   It maybe a good idea for you to get back in touch with reality .

[Chomper Higgot]

14 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

How would you know there is little evidence of Israel complying. You said you watched the BBC version of the Former International Court of Justice President Joan Donoghue interview. If so you will know what she said about that yes?

I know exactly what she said because I went to the source interview, not the clip posted on this forum.

 

I also went directly to the ICJ ruling.

[Bkk Brian]

Just now, Chomper Higgot said:

I know exactly what she said because I went to the source interview, not the clip posted on this forum.

 

I also went directly to the ICJ ruling.

That's what I asked you and seeing as you went to the source video and watched it. You should know what she said about that?

 

17 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

How would you know there is little evidence of Israel complying. You said you watched the BBC version of the Former International Court of Justice President Joan Donoghue interview. If so you will know what she said about that yes?

 

[Hummin]

10 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   It maybe a good idea for you to get back in touch with reality .

Thats a very good advise, but whos reality are you talking about? 

 

Some continue the same delusional propaganda over and over, and lives in denial about there is two parts in this conflict, and both parts is responsible for whats going on right now! 

 

But, thats a long shot

[Chomper Higgot]

Just now, Bkk Brian said:

That's what I asked you and seeing as you went to the source video and watched it. You should know what she said about that?

 

 

Yes I do.

 

Now you explain how what she said contradicts my post you responded to.

[Bkk Brian]

Just now, Chomper Higgot said:

Yes I do.

 

Now you explain how what she said contradicts my post you responded to.

And that was? You claim there is little evidence of Israel complying, what did Joan Donoghue say about that when asked the same thing.

[Chomper Higgot]

Just now, Bkk Brian said:

And that was? You claim there is little evidence of Israel complying, what did Joan Donoghue say about that when asked the same thing.

She never said anything about little evidence of Israel’s compliance.

 

Nor did I claim she did.

 

What’s your point Brian?

[Bkk Brian]

Just now, Chomper Higgot said:

She never said anything about little evidence of Israel’s compliance.

 

Nor did I claim she did.

 

What’s your point Brian?

Here is what you said:

 

38 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

The allegations of genocide are under investigation.
 

The ICJ has issued a ruling detailing what steps Israel must take to avoid the increased risk of genocide, there is little evidence of Israel complying with that ruling.

 

 

If you claim that where are you getting it from? Because its not from former ICJ Joan Donoghue. I watched the full vid twice. She indeed does talk about it which if you had watched it as you claim you would know exactly what she said about it as its specifically relevant.