Palestine Solidarity Project (PSP) was a pro-Palestinian organization that advocated for a Palestinian state through purported peaceful means. One of the co-founders, Mousa Abu Maria, was previously linked to and jailed for involvement with, the terrorist organization Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). 1 The other co-founder, Rebekah Wolf, was previously on the steering committee for the U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation (CEIO), which supports the anti-Israeli boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement. 2 As of January 2024, the organization appears to be defunct as its website is no longer operational. 3
History
Palestine Solidarity Project (PSP) was founded in 2006 in the village of Beit Ommar in the Southern West Bank. 4 The organization formed after American Rebekah Wolf met organizer Mousa Abu Maria and became romantically involved. 5 Abu Maria was previously in prison twice due to ties with terror group Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). 6 Wolf and Abu Mousa, with other acquaintances, formed the Palestine Solidarity Project (PSP) in 2006. 7
Positions
Palestine Solidarity Project (PSP) supported the acquisition of land for Palestinians in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip from Israelis through peaceful direct action. 8 PSP previously claimed that Israel has violated human rights for over 50 years and that both sides of the conflict have been in violation of international law 9
PSP pledged loyalty to corporations, nations, and governments that support Palestinians’ human rights. 10 Through funding, PSP supports Palestinian individuals and regions seeking to take ownership of land from Israelis. 11
Activity
Palestine Solidarity Project (PSP) distributed cameras to people while encouraging social media sharing of photos and videos of Israeli troops. 12 PSP leaders previously called for people to stop buying or selling products made in Israel or potentially made by Israelis in the disputed West Bank, Gaza Strip, and Golan Heights. 13
PSP Co-founder Rebekah Wolf was a member of the steering committee for the U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation (CEIO), which supports boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS). 14 CEIO founders and members have called for the end of Israel as a nation, opposed a two-state solution, and have argued to end military, financial, and diplomatic support for Israel. 15
As of January 2024, the organization no longer appears to be active, as the group website is offline. 16
Leadership
Rebekah Wolf is an American attorney and co-founder of Palestine Solidarity Project (PSP). 17 Rebekah Wolf is of Jewish faith and her sister is a rabbi. 18 Since 2019, Wolf has been policy counsel at the Immigration Justice Campaign for the American Immigration Council. 19
From 2016 through 2019, Wolf was the pro bono coordinator for New Mexico Immigrant Law Center. 20 From 2007 through 2014, Wolf was director, international coordinator at the pro-Palestinian Center for Freedom and Justice. 21
In 2008, when Palestine Solidarity Project co-founder and Wolf’s then-boyfriend Mousa Abu Maria was arrested by Israeli authorities, Wolf signed documents officially marrying Abu Maria allowing her to visit him in prison. 22 In 2003, Wolf made a trip to Israel spending most of her time in the West Bank. 23 Upon attempting to return to the West Bank in 2005, the Israeli government had her deported back to the United States. 24 25
Mousa Abu Maria is from Beit Ommar in the southern West Bank and co-founder of Palestine Solidarity Project (PSP). 26 Abu Maria spent years in Israeli prison for membership in the terrorist group Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and throwing stones and Molotov cocktails. 27 He was released in 2003 as part of a prisoner exchange only to be placed in administrative detention in 2008 due to suspected connections to PIJ. 28 In 2012, Abu Maria claimed he no longer was connected to Palestinian Islamic Jihad but was seen that year in a photo holding a PIJ poster with Palestinian Islamic Jihad members. 29
In November 2012, Abu Maria was invited to speak at the British House of Commons for an event organized by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, a separate organization. 30
References
- Westrop, Sam. “Terror Activist to Speak at British House of Commons.” Jerusalem Post. November 9, 2012. Accessed March 4, 2023. https://www.jpost.com/blogs/fighting-back/terror-activist-to-speak-at-british-house-of-commons-365172.
- Diker, Dan. “American BDS Organization Takes Its Case to Capitol Hill.” Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. October 10, 2016. Accessed March 4, 2023. https://jcpa.org/article/american-bds-organization-takes-case-capitol-hill/.
- “Who We Are.” Palestine Solidarity Network, Accessed January 29, 2024. https://palestinesolidarityproject.org/who-we-are/
- “Palestine Solidarity Project.” Palestine Solidarity Committee – Seattle. Accessed March 4, 2023. http://www.palestineinformation.org/ism_seattle.htm.
- Brostoff, Ari. “Sister Acts.” Tablet Magazine. July 1, 2009. Accessed March 4, 2023. https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/community/articles/sister-acts.
- Westrop, Sam. “Terror Activist to Speak at British House of Commons.” Jerusalem Post. November 9, 2012. Accessed March 4, 2023. https://www.jpost.com/blogs/fighting-back/terror-activist-to-speak-at-british-house-of-commons-365172.
- Brostoff, Ari. “Sister Acts.” Tablet Magazine. July 1, 2009. Accessed March 4, 2023. https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/community/articles/sister-acts.
- “Our Approach.” Palestine Solidarity Project. Accessed March 4, 2023. https://palestinesolidarityproject.org/who-we-are/.
- “Our Approach.” Palestine Solidarity Project. Accessed March 4, 2023. https://palestinesolidarityproject.org/who-we-are/.
- “What We Do.” Palestine Solidarity Project. Accessed March 4, 2023. https://palestinesolidarityproject.org/what-we-do/.
- “What We Do.” Palestine Solidarity Project. Accessed March 4, 2023. https://palestinesolidarityproject.org/what-we-do/.
- Moloney, Mark. “Mousa Abu Maria – Shot in the Head, Imprisoned, and Tortured.” Anphoblacht. June 30, 2013. Accessed March 4, 2023. https://www.anphoblacht.com/contents/23193.
- “Mousa Abu Maria – Shot in the Head, Imprisoned, and Tortured.” Anphoblacht. June 30, 2013. Accessed March 4, 2023. https://www.anphoblacht.com/contents/23193.
- Diker, Dan. “American BDS Organization Takes Its Case to Capitol Hill.” Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. October 10, 2016. Accessed March 4, 2023. https://jcpa.org/article/american-bds-organization-takes-case-capitol-hill/.
- Diker, Dan. “American BDS Organization Takes Its Case to Capitol Hill.” Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. October 10, 2016. Accessed March 4, 2023. https://jcpa.org/article/american-bds-organization-takes-case-capitol-hill/.
- “Who We Are.” Palestine Solidarity Network, Accessed January 29, 2024. https://palestinesolidarityproject.org/who-we-are/
- “Rebekah Wolf.” LinkedIn. Accessed March 4, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebekah-wolf-a1799b167/; Brostoff, Ari. “Sister Acts.” Tablet Magazine. July 1, 2009. Accessed March 4, 2023. https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/community/articles/sister-acts.
- Brostoff, Ari. “Sister Acts.” Tablet Magazine. July 1, 2009. Accessed March 4, 2023. https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/community/articles/sister-acts.
- “Rebekah Wolf.” LinkedIn. Accessed March 4, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebekah-wolf-a1799b167/.
- “Rebekah Wolf.” LinkedIn. Accessed March 4, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebekah-wolf-a1799b167/.
- “Rebekah Wolf.” LinkedIn. Accessed March 4, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebekah-wolf-a1799b167/.
- Brostoff, Ari. “Sister Acts.” Tablet Magazine. July 1, 2009. Accessed March 4, 2023. https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/community/articles/sister-acts.
- Brostoff, Ari. “Sister Acts.” Tablet Magazine. July 1, 2009. Accessed March 4, 2023. https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/community/articles/sister-acts.
- Brostoff, Ari. “Sister Acts.” Tablet Magazine. July 1, 2009. Accessed March 4, 2023. https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/community/articles/sister-acts.
- “Rebekah Wolf.” LinkedIn. Accessed March 4, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebekah-wolf-a1799b167/.
- Brostoff, Ari. “Sister Acts.” Tablet Magazine. July 1, 2009. Accessed March 4, 2023. https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/community/articles/sister-acts.
- Westrop, Sam. “Terror Activist to Speak at British House of Commons.” Jerusalem Post. November 9, 2012. Accessed March 4, 2023. https://www.jpost.com/blogs/fighting-back/terror-activist-to-speak-at-british-house-of-commons-365172.
- [1] Westrop, Sam. “Terror Activist to Speak at British House of Commons.” Jerusalem Post. November 9, 2012. Accessed March 4, 2023. https://www.jpost.com/blogs/fighting-back/terror-activist-to-speak-at-british-house-of-commons-365172.
- Westrop, Sam. “Terror Activist to Speak at British House of Commons.” Jerusalem Post. November 9, 2012. Accessed March 4, 2023. https://www.jpost.com/blogs/fighting-back/terror-activist-to-speak-at-british-house-of-commons-365172.
- Westrop, Sam. “Terror Activist to Speak at British House of Commons.” Jerusalem Post. November 9, 2012. Accessed March 4, 2023. https://www.jpost.com/blogs/fighting-back/terror-activist-to-speak-at-british-house-of-commons-365172.