Pro-Palestinian activist refuses to condemn political violence after foiled plot against her

Palestinian-American activist Nerdeen Kiswani condemned what she called Zionist aggression after investigators thwarted a Molotov cocktail plot on her life, but declined to condemn political violence generally.

In the past, Kiswani’s organization, Within Our Lifetime (WOL), has faced scrutiny over the United States’ refusal to condemn terrorist organizations.

“For years, I and many other Palestinian organizers have been the target of coordinated harassment, threats and pursuits,” Kiswani said at a news conference. he said.

undercover investigators He prevented 26-year-old Alexander Heifler from carrying out his plan to prepare and use a Molotov cocktail against Kiswani late last month. According to court records, Heifler had made about 12 incendiary devices and was preparing to throw them at Kiswani’s car and home.

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He also said he believes Palestinians have the right to act in their own interests.

“I believe that victims of genocide have the right to defend themselves in accordance with international law, and I also believe that the American people should be concerned about Zionist terrorist organizations attempting to kill their critics on the streets of American cities.”

It did not clarify whether self-defense included acts of violence.

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Nerdeen Kiswani, co-founder and leader of Within Our Lifetime (WOL), a Palestinian-led social organization, speaks during a rally in front of the AirTrain station in Jamaica during National Day of Action on Saturday, January 27, 2024, in Queens, New York. (Photo: Selcuk Acar/Anadolu, via Getty Images) (Selçuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images)

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Reacting to Kiswani’s statement, Yuval David of the Middle East Forum, a pro-Israel research group, said Kiswani’s framing was not a surprise.

“He refuses to condemn political violence and he also refuses to condone terrorism because he tries to manipulate the narrative to legitimize terrorism by calling it resistance,” David said.

David noted that Kiswani’s organization has refrained from condemning violence against Israel in the past.

WOL made headlines following Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel in October 2023 due to its anti-Israel support, stating in online messages “we are anti-Zionists” and “the liberation of Palestine requires the elimination of Zionism.”

David recalled the message WOL gave to its followers at the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war.

“One month after the Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad attacks on October 7, 2023 [Kiswani] and his organization published maps of Jewish organizations in New York City and labeled them with “blood on their hands.” And he told his followers, quote, ‘know your enemy’. He said the map should serve as a call to action for every struggle,” David said.

The Anti-Defamation League’s Center on Extremism said WOL showed “very clear support for violence against Israeli civilians in support of terrorist organizations such as Hamas, Hezbollah and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.”

WOL said that it was not antisemitic, but anti-Zionist.

After news of the plot against Kiswani broke, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani called on viewers to condemn the violence in all its aspects.

“We do not tolerate violent extremism of any kind in this city. No one should be subjected to violence because of their political beliefs or advocacy. And I am relieved that he is safe,” Mamdani said at a press event. he said.

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Split screen showing Hamas terrorists on the left, Hezbollah Radwan forces on the right. (Chris McGrath/Getty Images/Hassan Ammar/AP)

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When asked if he would condemn political violence in the wake of the thwarted plot, Kiswani condemned the investigation.

“Since its inception, Fox News has not only applauded Israel’s occupation of Palestine, it has spread lies that started wars in Afghanistan and Iraq that have killed more than a million people, and it now supports Trump and Israel’s war against Iran,” Kiswani told Fox News Digital. he said.

“It is ironic that a news network that glorifies violence when applied in the interests of American imperialism places the burden on me, the Palestinian victim of a Zionist terrorist conspiracy, to explain my stance on political violence.”