Overview: The Center on Extremism is aware of calls for individuals and groups around the world to dedicate Friday, October 13, 2023, to pro-Hamas activism. These calls were promulgated via a statement on an official Hamas channel and amplified by an undated video of former Hamas leader Khaled Mashal that has been widely circulated on the Internet.
This comes at a time of rallies across the U.S. glorifying Hamas’s murderous violence in Israel; inflammatory calls by Students for Justice in Palestine to “dismantle” Zionism on college campuses; and non-specific threats by online extremists and antisemites who applaud the violence.
ADL has reviewed this information and is in close coordination with our partners in law enforcement and Jewish security organizations. At this time, COE is not aware of any credible threats to Jewish communities in the United States.
Background: On October 10, 2023, Hamas issued an official statement designating Friday, October 13, 2023, a day of action titled “the Friday of al-Aqsa Flood.” In their announcement, they called on the international community to engage in mass gatherings to voice solidarity with the Palestinian people and their cause. They also called on individuals living in the West Bank and East Jerusalem to take part in mass protests against Israel.
In addition, a video has surfaced featuring founding member and former Hamas leader, Khaled Mashal, calling on people to engage in “the Friday of al-Aqsa Flood” to “send a message of rage to Zionists and to America.” It is also alleged that he asked Muslims around the world to “fight and be martyrs for al-Aqsa.” While the provenance of this video is yet to be determined, it is circulating widely online and could incite antisemitic incidents. |