Incitement and Delegitimization

Antisemitism in the Arab-Muslim World during the Gaza Strip War

The Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, and the outbreak of the Gaza Strip War ignited the largest wave of antisemitism and hatred of Jews worldwide since the end of World War Two. That hatred is reflected in the Arab-Muslim world, from the Iranian-led resistance axis, with terrorist organizations like Hamas and the Houthis, to the so-called "moderate" Sunni countries such as Turkey and Qatar; In the Arab-Muslim world, antisemitism inundates newspaper articles and cartoons, statements by influential religious and political leaders, and the social media, where posters explicitly call for attacks on Jews. They use a combination of anti-Jewish themes from traditional Islamic texts and classic European antisemitic motifs, such as those in the Protocols of the Elders of Zion; The unprecedented Hamas terrorist attack and massacre on October 7, 2023, marked the first time that Hamas' deeply ingrained hatred of Israel and the Jews was so fully and brutally understood and brought to bear; The objectives of this study are to explain the historical and religious roots of antisemitism in the Islamic world, identify significant centers which spread antisemitism today, and show how antisemitic propaganda tries to define the Jews. We use a precise definition of antisemitism as it refers the alleged collective negative traits of Jews, both in terms of their perceived spiritual and physical characteristics; In ITIC assessment, as long as the war in the Gaza Strip continues and as long as the Palestinians continue accusing Israel of committing "genocide," Islamic antisemitism will carry on in high gear, as has been the case since October 7, 2023. Although antisemitism in the Arab-Muslim world has mainly remained in the media and on social networks, the pro-Palestinian riots carried out for the most part by Muslims in the Netherlands on November 7, 2024, in which Israeli soccer fans were attacked, suggest that Islamic antisemitism may lead to more acts of violence as the war continues. However, ending the war in Gaza does not guarantee a decrease in Islamic antisemitism. The narrative promoted by Hamas and the Palestinians surrounding the Gaza Strip War and its aftermath may keep antisemitism at high levels even after a ceasefire.
Read more...

Israel, Jews and Peace in Schoolbooks and Teachers’ Guides Used in UNRWA Schools in Judea, Samaria,East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip

The schoolbooks issued by the Palestinian Authority are mandatorily used in all schools in all areas of Judea, Samaria, the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem, including UNRWA schools. The books surveyed here are of the latest edition and are used in the current school year. Teachers' guides were examined as well. They shed special light on the Palestinian Authority indoctrination process which is also applied in UNRWA schools. Following are selected examples, taken from schoolbooks and teachers' guides in use in UNRWA's school system, of de-Legitimization of the State of Israel's existence, demonization of Israel and the Jews, and absence of any advocacy for peace with Israel.
Read more...

The International Judicial System vs. Israel Reactions and Significance

On May 24, 2024, the International Court of Justice in The Hague (ICJ) published temporary orders regarding the IDF's activity in Rafah and regarding the humanitarian demands from Israel within the framework of the Convention for the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide, as part of a lawsuit filed by South Africa against Israel alleging an alleged violation of obligations under the Convention to prevent genocide. The ruling did not order a halt to the IDF operation in Rafah, but stated that Israel should refrain from carrying out actions that could be considered genocide against the Palestinians. On May 20, 2024, Karim Khan, the Prosecutor General of the International Criminal Court in The Hague (ICC), announced that he had submitted a request to issue arrest warrants on suspicion of war crimes and crimes against humanity against three of the leaders of Hamas and against Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Galant. This is the first time that the prosecutor's office requests to arrest individuals from a western country and the request also created an immoral comparison between Israeli leaders and senior Hamas officials. The ICJ ruling and the chief prosecutor's request were regarded by the Palestinian Authority (PA), Hamas and Palestinian NGOs as important achievements in the legal warfare they have been waging against Israel for years and which they regard as no less important than the armed struggle. The Palestinians welcomed the announcements, but also expressed doubt about the cessation of the operation in Rafah and criticized the request to arrest senior Hamas officials.
Read more...

Organizing Aid Flotillas to the Gaza Strip and international arenas

Since the beginning of the Gaza Strip War, initiatives have been undertaken around the globe to organize boats and ships to bring aid to the Gaza Strip, leading to the establishment of the International Campaign to Save Gaza (ICSG), which was announced on November 23, 2023 during a conference held in Istanbul.. Recently the organization, behind which is the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), announced it would launch a ship from Libya to El Arish in the near future, and would launch another ship from Lebanon. Zaher Birawi, the ICSG chairman, announced the launch of a flotilla to "break the blockade of the Gaza Strip," most likely four ships from European countries. The Turkish IHH announced it had purchased several ships for the flotilla, which is expected to set sail in mid-April. In addition to sending humanitarian the flotilla organizers intend to turn them into anti-Israeli media campaigns. The arrival of aid ships, especially those with "activists" from around the world, could challenge the Israeli Navy. There is also a concern that aid arriving by sea will enter Gaza without Israeli supervision and the ships will be used to smuggle weapons. Should the ships also be carrying people with political influence and media personnel, they could complicate world public opinion for Israel. In the past Zaher Birawi stated that the main purpose of the flotillas was to raise awareness and discredit Israel, and to publicize the political and media campaigns accompanying the flotillas.
Read more...

Support for Hamas in Belgium and the Netherlands since the Outbreak of the Swords of Iron War

Since the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, and the beginning of the Swords of Iron War, pro-Palestinian demonstrations against Israel have been held in Belgium and the Netherlands, like in many European Union (EU) countries, calling for a ceasefire and ending support for Israel alongside anti-Israeli slogans such as “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free. The demonstrations in Belgium and the Netherlands are organized in cooperation between local Palestinian communities and solidarity organizations based on far-left organizations, anti-government organizations, student organizations, anarchist movements, and even political parties. Organizations and activists taking part in the protest have expressed support for the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack and massacre and later for the Palestinian armed resistance, accusing Israel of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip. The prominent presence of large Muslim communities in Belgium and the Netherlands contributes to the strengthening of pro-Palestinian and anti-Israeli attitudes among the public in both countries.
Read more...

In the streets and social networks: the organizations that support Hamas and lead the anti-Israel demonstrations in the United States

Since the beginning of Operation Iron Swords on October 7, 2023, pro-Palestinian demonstrations and rallies have been held throughout the United States on the streets of major cities, on the campuses of academic institutions and in public venues. The demonstrations are organized by groups which for years have been identified as pro-Palestinian, anti-Semitic, opposed to Zionism and participants in the participate in campaigns of The BDS Movement against the State of Israel. The groups behind the protests expressed unashamed support for Hamas' October 7 invasion and terrorist rampage and defined it as "legitimate resistance." That was regardless of the fact that Hamas has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the American government and prison sentences can be imposed for providing material assistance or resources, and economic sanctions can be imposed on those who maintain financial relations with Hamas.
Read more...