Overview of Hossam Gamea’s Activism and Controversies
Hossam Gamea has gained attention for his promotion of anti-Semitic views, support for Hamas, solidarity with individuals associated with terrorism, and advocacy for violence in the context of Palestinian resistance. His actions and statements have sparked significant controversy, particularly in his roles as a member of various pro-Palestinian and Muslim activist groups at City University of New York’s Hunter College (CUNY Hunter). Gamea’s involvement in the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), his leadership role in the Islamic Movement for Justice (IMJ), and his vocal stance on issues related to Israel and Palestine have shaped his public persona. He has frequently criticized Israel, demonized Palestinians who seek dialogue with Israel, and idealized violent forms of resistance, while at the same time promoting solidarity with individuals who support terrorism.
Involvement in Pro-Palestinian and Islamic Activism
Gamea’s activism can be traced to his university years, where he became deeply involved in several influential student groups. He was a member of the “Hunter Students for Justice in Palestine” Facebook group, which is associated with SJP at Hunter College. He played a key role in organizing events for the National SJP Conference (NSJP) held at the University of Houston in 2017. This event, which took place from October 27-29, 2017, centered on themes such as dismantling the barriers to achieving Palestinian liberation and strengthening campaigns for Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) against Israel. The conference aimed to strengthen efforts across regions to promote the BDS movement and advance political strategies aimed at achieving international sanctions against Israel.
In addition to his involvement with SJP, Gamea co-founded the Islamic Movement for Justice (IMJ) in 2013 and remains a committee member. IMJ advocates for opposition to all forms of oppression, particularly focusing on what it describes as the racial, colonial, and imperial actions of Israel. Gamea also contributed to organizing a webinar in January 2016 with SJP co-founder Hatem Bazian, who is known for his controversial stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Gamea graduated from CUNY Hunter College in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. However, his political activism continued to grow following his graduation, influencing his public statements and actions, especially on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
Promotion of Anti-Semitism
Throughout his activism, Gamea has expressed numerous anti-Semitic views, often linked to his portrayal of the Israeli government and Zionism. One notable instance of this was a video Gamea posted on November 1, 2017, where he participated in a panel discussion at the NSJP 2017 conference. In this video, Gamea encouraged U.S. supporters of Palestinians to accept and normalize Palestinian anti-Semitism as a product of their oppressed status. He argued that many Americans felt uncomfortable with Palestinian anti-Semitic language and slurs, particularly those referring to Jews as “Yahood.” Gamea claimed this discomfort was rooted in the “privilege” of U.S. citizens and asserted that Palestinians were not truly anti-Semitic, comparing their actions to the historical context of Nazi anti-Semitism. He further argued that Israel’s self-identification as the “Jewish Commonwealth” was a tactic to label Palestinians as anti-Semitic.
During the same panel, Gamea made additional controversial statements, such as asserting that Israel targeted the religious identity of Palestinians. He accused Israel of collaborating with Myanmar’s regime, supporting Islamophobia, and targeting Muslim communities worldwide. Gamea suggested that Israel’s actions in the Palestinian territories were part of a broader geopolitical strategy to suppress Muslims and erase Palestinian identity.
Support for Hamas
Another aspect of Gamea’s controversial activism is his expressed support for Hamas, the militant Islamist organization designated as a terrorist group by Israel, the European Union, Canada, the United States, and Australia. In a Facebook post from September 17, 2017, Gamea described Hamas as “an Islamist political entity” that posed a significant threat to Israel’s government, and he likened the group’s resistance to the Israeli occupation to the Algerian movement that fought French colonial rule. He suggested that Hamas’ struggle was a legitimate form of resistance against Israel’s policies, despite the group’s documented history of violence, including the murder of civilians.
Gamea also downplayed criticisms of Hamas, stating that the organization should not be judged for its governance, arguing that it was unjustly barred from ruling by Israel and external forces. This rhetoric aligns with his broader support for violent forms of resistance in the Palestinian struggle, further fueling his contentious position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Solidarity with Terror Supporters
In addition to his support for Hamas, Gamea has expressed solidarity with other individuals linked to terrorism. On July 9, 2017, Gamea posted on Twitter expressing support for individuals associated with the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development (HLF), which was convicted of funneling money to Hamas under the guise of humanitarian aid. The five individuals convicted in the case were collectively known as the “Holy Land 5.” Gamea’s post, wishing solidarity with these individuals, sparked backlash due to their involvement in terrorism.
He also voiced support for Tarek Mehanna, a convicted terrorist who was found guilty of conspiring to provide material support to al-Qaeda, and Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist convicted in 2010 for attempting to kill U.S. military officers in Afghanistan. Gamea’s public support for such figures has raised concerns about his stance on terrorism and the broader implications of his activism.
Idealizing Violence and Armed Resistance
Gamea has not shied away from promoting the idea of armed resistance as a legitimate form of Palestinian liberation. In the NSJP 2017 panel, Gamea criticized non-Palestinian supporters of the Palestinian cause for focusing too much on nonviolent activism, such as the BDS movement. He argued that this approach neglected the importance of “armed resistance” and violent liberation struggles. Gamea suggested that while non-Palestinians often advocate for peaceful forms of protest, the Palestinian movement also embraced the necessity of violence in its struggle for liberation, something that Americans should be more open to understanding.
On social media, Gamea has frequently expressed admiration for protesters who engage in violent confrontations with Israeli forces. For example, in a Facebook post on July 21, 2017, he praised Palestinian protesters for their zeal and commitment to their cause, even when it led to death and suffering. He described the protesters as “sacrificing their lives and souls for their beliefs,” contrasting them with what he perceived as a lack of commitment in Western activism.
Demonizing Israel
Gamea has regularly demonized Israel, often accusing it of committing genocidal acts against Palestinians. In multiple social media posts, Gamea claimed that Israel’s primary goal was to eliminate Palestinians both culturally and physically. He referred to Israel’s military actions as acts of mass murder and suggested that the Israeli government had fabricated stories to justify its actions. One such instance occurred on July 22, 2017, when Gamea shared a post on Facebook claiming that Israel had falsely blamed Palestinians for the 2014 murders of two Israeli teens. In reality, Hamas later claimed responsibility for the kidnapping and murder of the Israeli teenagers, which was one of the key events that led to the 2014 Gaza War.
Gamea has also made extreme accusations, such as claiming that Israel funded the persecution of Muslims, including the killing of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. He argued that Israel was complicit in spreading Islamophobia worldwide, including in the U.S., and that it sought to erase the Muslim identity and religious sites, particularly Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
Opposition to Muslim-Jewish Dialogue
Gamea has been a vocal opponent of efforts aimed at promoting Muslim-Jewish dialogue, particularly initiatives like the Muslim Leadership Initiative (MLI). MLI, founded by Imam Abdullah Antepli, aims to foster understanding and cooperation between Muslim and Jewish communities in North America. Gamea has consistently attacked individuals involved with MLI, including activist Rabia Chaudry. He accused Chaudry of betraying the Palestinian cause and Islam by participating in MLI’s efforts to build ties between Muslims and Jews.
In a Facebook post on November 8, 2017, Gamea called Chaudry a “sell-out” and a “hypocrite,” criticizing her for what he saw as her normalization of Zionism. Gamea’s rhetoric on this issue suggests a belief that engaging in dialogue with Jewish individuals or organizations, particularly those supporting Israel, is tantamount to endorsing the oppression of Palestinians. He extended this criticism to other Muslim activists who have participated in MLI and similar initiatives.
SJP and BDS Movements
Gamea’s activities are closely linked to the broader student activism landscape, particularly the work of SJP and the BDS movement. SJP, co-founded by Hatem Bazian in 2001, has become the primary student group advocating for Palestinian national liberation and the boycott of Israel. SJP chapters are notorious for organizing disruptive campaigns, including mock checkpoints, die-ins, and inflammatory rallies that often involve anti-Semitic rhetoric. SJP’s use of slogans such as “From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be Free” has been seen by critics as advocating for the destruction of Israel.
The BDS movement, which emerged in 2005, is another significant component of the anti-Israel activism Gamea supports. BDS aims to isolate Israel diplomatically and economically by promoting boycotts, divestment from Israeli companies, and sanctions against the state. BDS campaigns have gained traction on North American campuses, where they have sparked debates about freedom of speech, anti-Semitism, and the legitimacy of the movement’s goals.
MSA and Controversies
The Muslim Students Association (MSA) was founded in January 1963 at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, by members of the Muslim Brotherhood with the mission of spreading Islam among students in North America. The MSA has since grown into a prominent student organization with nearly 600 chapters across the United States and Canada. The MSA is the largest and most influential Islamic student group in North America, with a broad range of activities, conferences, events, publications, and a significant online presence.
However, the MSA has been associated with several controversies over the years, particularly because of its alleged ties to extremist elements. A 2004 investigation by the FBI revealed that the MSA was listed as one of the organizations linked to the Muslim Brotherhood in a document uncovered during the investigation. This connection raised concerns about the organization’s activities, which critics argue may include promoting radical ideologies.
In addition to its association with the Muslim Brotherhood, several prominent former MSA leaders have been linked to terrorist organizations. For example, Anwar al-Awlaki, an al-Qaeda cleric, was once a chapter president of the MSA at Colorado State University. Similarly, Omar Shafik Hammami, a leader within the al-Shabaab terrorist group, was involved with the MSA at the University of South Alabama, while Ramy Zamzam, a recruiter for the Pakistani Taliban, was associated with the MSA’s Washington, D.C. council. These associations have sparked concerns about the MSA’s potential role in promoting extremist views on college campuses.
MSA’s Influence and Role on Campuses
Despite these controversial ties, the MSA remains a deeply embedded organization within North American universities. It is recognized for its large and organized network of chapters across campuses, providing students with religious guidance, social events, and opportunities for activism. However, critics argue that the MSA’s influence goes beyond simple religious observance and extends into the political and ideological realms, particularly in its approach to Israel and the Palestinian cause.
Local MSA chapters are known to regularly invite controversial speakers to their events. These speakers often include individuals who have espoused radical or extremist views, further fueling criticism of the MSA. For instance, at a 2003 event hosted by the MSA’s student newspaper Al-Talib, Imam Abdul-Alim Musa delivered a speech in which he compared the United States to Nazi Germany, calling it “the most skillful oppressor the world has ever known.” This rhetoric, though not universally embraced by MSA members, is seen by many as an example of the more radical voices within the organization.
In addition to its controversial speakers, the MSA has been accused of fostering an environment where anti-Semitism, anti-Western rhetoric, and support for violent resistance are normalized. Critics point to the MSA’s promotion of figures and movements that have been linked to terrorism, including Hamas, the Taliban, and al-Qaeda. While the organization itself does not explicitly endorse violence, its alliances with radical movements and its platforming of extremist speakers raise serious concerns about its role in fostering a more radical and militant atmosphere on college campuses.
SJP and its Role in Promoting Anti-Israel Activism
Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), another prominent student organization, is often associated with the MSA due to its overlapping membership and shared focus on the Palestinian cause. Founded in 2001 at the University of California, Berkeley, SJP was co-founded by Hatem Bazian, a key figure in the Palestinian solidarity movement. Bazian also played a major role in organizing the General Union of Palestinian Students (GUPS), a pro-Palestinian student organization, and has been a vocal advocate for the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement.
SJP has grown into the primary student-led movement promoting the Palestinian national agenda on North American campuses. Its activities are largely focused on supporting the BDS movement, which seeks to apply economic, cultural, and academic pressure on Israel in order to end what it perceives as Israeli oppression of Palestinians. To this end, SJP chapters often organize rallies, protests, and campaigns calling for universities and companies to divest from Israel or Israeli-affiliated entities. These campaigns are typically accompanied by harsh rhetoric condemning Israel and supporting Palestinian resistance, including violent forms of resistance.
In addition to its activism on campus, SJP is also known for its frequent confrontations with pro-Israel students. SJP members have been accused of intimidating and harassing Jewish and pro-Israel students, including physically assaulting them, disrupting events, and engaging in acts of vandalism. These actions have led to a heightened sense of tension on campuses, particularly among Jewish students who feel they are being targeted by anti-Semitic rhetoric and actions linked to SJP’s campaigns.
SJP rallies often feature chants such as “Long Live the Intifada” or “From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be Free,” both of which are considered by many to be incitements to violence against Israelis. These slogans, coupled with the group’s support for BDS, have raised alarms among Jewish groups and other pro-Israel organizations, who view SJP as a threat to campus safety and dialogue.
The BDS Movement and its Impact on Campus Climate
The Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement has played a central role in SJP’s activism and is one of the key strategies promoted by Gamea and other figures within the Palestinian solidarity movement. Founded in 2005 by Omar Barghouti, BDS is a global movement that aims to pressure Israel through economic, cultural, and academic boycotts in order to force the Israeli government to end its alleged violations of Palestinian rights. While the movement asserts that it seeks to hold Israel accountable for its actions, critics argue that its ultimate goal is to delegitimize the Jewish state and erase its right to exist.
BDS has gained significant traction on university campuses across North America, where student governments and campus organizations have passed non-binding resolutions calling for boycotts of Israeli goods, academic institutions, and cultural events. These resolutions are often backed by SJP and other pro-Palestinian student groups, which use their influence to pressure universities into adopting anti-Israel policies.
However, the passage of BDS resolutions on campuses has not been without controversy. In many cases, the debate over BDS has led to increased incidents of anti-Semitism on campuses, including physical assaults, vandalism, and verbal abuse directed at Jewish students. In some instances, the BDS movement has fostered a hostile environment for Jewish students, making it difficult for them to express pro-Israel views without fear of retaliation.
The BDS movement has also been criticized for its association with individuals and groups that have espoused anti-Semitic views or have been linked to terrorist organizations. For instance, the movement has been supported by Hamas and other Islamist groups that call for the destruction of Israel. This has led to accusations that BDS is not merely a critique of Israeli policies, but a broader campaign to delegitimize Israel and eliminate its right to exist as a Jewish state.
Gamea’s Support for Hamas and Terrorist Movements
Gamea has been an outspoken supporter of movements and groups that have been designated as terrorist organizations by several countries, including Hamas. On several occasions, he has expressed admiration for Hamas, which was founded in 1987 as an Islamist resistance group with the goal of establishing an Islamic state in historical Palestine. Hamas is notorious for its use of violence and terrorism against Israel, including suicide bombings, rocket attacks, and other forms of armed resistance.
In 2017, Gamea publicly defended Hamas as a legitimate resistance movement, comparing it to the Islamist movement that helped liberate Algeria from French colonial rule. He also dismissed the notion that Hamas is a terrorist organization, instead framing it as a force fighting for Palestinian liberation against Israeli oppression. This view aligns with Gamea’s broader advocacy for violence as a legitimate form of resistance, particularly in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Gamea’s support for Hamas and other violent resistance movements has drawn sharp criticism from Jewish organizations and others who view Hamas as a terrorist group that promotes violence and incites hatred toward Jews. By endorsing Hamas, Gamea has further aligned himself with groups that reject peaceful negotiations and instead advocate for armed struggle against Israel.
Idealizing Violence and Promoting Anti-Israel Rhetoric
Throughout his activism, Gamea has consistently promoted violence as a legitimate form of resistance to Israeli policies. In a 2017 video, Gamea chastised non-Palestinian supporters of the Palestinian cause for focusing solely on nonviolent forms of resistance, such as BDS, while neglecting the role of armed struggle. He argued that armed resistance was an essential aspect of the Palestinian liberation movement and that it should not be dismissed by those who are not directly affected by the conflict.
In a Facebook post from July 2017, Gamea likened the protests against Israeli security measures at the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem to the sacrifice of “lives and souls for their beliefs.” He idealized the protesters for their zeal, praising their willingness to die for their cause, which he viewed as a noble struggle against Israeli oppression. His rhetoric in this instance glorifies martyrdom and violence as means of achieving political and religious goals.
Gamea’s idealization of violence is particularly concerning given the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, where the use of violence has led to countless deaths and suffering on both sides. His calls for violent resistance not only endorse terrorism but also encourage others to view such acts as legitimate expressions of political resistance.
Conclusion
Hossam Gamea’s activism is deeply intertwined with controversial movements and ideologies that promote anti-Israel rhetoric, violence, and extremism. His membership
in groups like the Muslim Students Association (MSA), Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), and his support for the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement have led to numerous clashes with pro-Israel groups, particularly in academic settings. Gamea’s endorsement of Hamas and other groups associated with terrorism has raised serious concerns about his stance on peace, dialogue, and nonviolent resistance in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
His idealization of violence as a legitimate form of resistance, coupled with his dismissal of peaceful solutions, places him at the heart of a broader controversy surrounding activism on college campuses. While his views resonate with certain factions within the Palestinian solidarity movement, they also alienate moderate voices and have sparked fears of rising anti-Semitism and extremism in university spaces. As the debate over Israeli-Palestinian relations continues to unfold on campuses across North America, figures like Gamea will remain central to discussions about the role of student activism and the boundaries of free speech in a politically charged climate.
