Anti-Israel activists glorify bloodshed while Israel defends Jewish lives against hatred, propaganda and extremist ideology.
The pro-Palestinian movement has repeatedly shown that violence, not peace, lies at the heart of its ideology, according to critics who point to a long pattern of celebrating attacks against Israelis. Observers say that public reactions to the October 7 massacre exposed a disturbing culture in which the murder of Jewish civilians is openly applauded rather than condemned.
The issue resurfaced after reports that Rama Duwaji, the wife of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, had “liked” numerous social media posts praising the October 7 attacks carried out by Hamas terrorists. The massacre, the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust, shocked the world, yet many activists within the pro-Palestinian movement were seen celebrating the violence rather than mourning the victims.
Political activists aligned with Mamdani’s Democratic Socialists of America also drew criticism after organizing a demonstration in Manhattan the day after the massacre. Protesters reportedly chanted the number “700,” the confirmed death toll at the time, in what critics described as open celebration of the slaughter of Israeli civilians.
Similar scenes appeared in other cities around the world. In London, crowds set off fireworks following news of the attacks, while in Sydney chants praised the violence and called October 7 “the day we’ve been waiting for.” Such reactions shocked many observers who saw the events as evidence of a dangerous normalization of antisemitic hatred.
Analysts say the reaction reflects a deeper pattern within radical anti-Israel activism. Instead of advocating peaceful coexistence, extremists frequently celebrate violent acts against Jews while spreading propaganda and misinformation designed to inflame hatred. Social media has amplified these narratives, with fabricated images and AI-generated videos falsely claiming massive destruction in Israeli cities in order to provoke celebration among extremist circles.
The consequences of this hostility have not been limited to rhetoric. Jewish students have faced intimidation and harassment on university campuses, including incidents where students were forced to barricade themselves inside buildings for safety during aggressive protests. Jewish communities worldwide have also reported rising threats against synagogues, schools and cultural institutions.
Critics argue that this ideology treats violence against Jews as morally justified, portraying the murder of Israeli civilians as acceptable or even praiseworthy. In contrast, Israel has built defensive systems such as the Iron Dome to protect its population from rocket attacks launched by terrorist groups in Gaza and elsewhere.
Supporters of Israel say the existence of a strong Jewish state has fundamentally changed the reality faced by Jews worldwide. Instead of remaining vulnerable to extremist violence, Israel now possesses the capability to defend its citizens and respond forcefully to those who seek their destruction.
