The Philly Palestine Coalition is a pro-Palestinian activist group that organizes protests and demonstrations within Philadelphia and the surrounding area against the State of Israel and U.S aid during the ongoing Israel-Hamas War in Gaza. The group formed shortly after the October 7, 2023 attacks by the terror group Hamas against the state of Israel that lead to nearly 1,200 Israelis killed and over 200 people, including Americans, being kidnapped and held hostage in Gaza. 1 2
History
The Philly Palestine Coalition was formed shortly after the October 7, 2023 Hamas terror attacks against the State of Israel. On October 12, it organized a rally outside PBS studio affiliate WHYY in Philadelphia to protest what it claimed was “media bias” against coverage of the Israel-Hamas war, further claiming American news outlets “have historically censored pro-Palestinian organizers and used false balance journalism to create pro-Zionist narratives.” 3
As of September 2024, the group has organized several similar rallies within the city of Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. Protests have coincided with National holidays and significant days including July 4, International Women’s Day, and the 2nd Presidential Debate between Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamela Harris on September 10, 2024. On July 4, 2024, the group released a statement on its Instagram page promoting its “All Out for Gaza” protest, stating, “We stand with the resistance and support Palestine, not AmeriKKKA! We don’t celebrate the legacy of genocide, colonialism, and slavery that July 4th symbolizes, but struggle for true LIBERATION.” 4 5
Several protests and rallies organized by the group have led to as many as 3,000 participants. During said protests, incidents such traffic disruption, vandalism, and threats against private businesses have also occurred. 6 Several protests have targeted specific business and industries including those owned by members of the Jewish community or ones accused of manufacturing weapons for use by the State of Israel. 7
Protests organized by, or involving, the group has led to condemnation by local and national political leaders. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (D) condemned protests that occurred outside a restaurant in Philadelphia owned by a Jewish family, stating, “The purposeful gathering of a mob outside of a restaurant simply because it is owned by a Jewish person. Well, that’s antisemitism, plain and simple.” Governor Shapiro was joined by members of the US Representatives, local state legislators, and President Joe Biden in condemning the protests. 8 9 10
Positions
The Philly Palestine Coalition has described itself as a “Philly-based Alliance of Palestinian, Black & Indigenous community members and orgs working to uplift Palestinian leadership & liberation.” 11 The group has labeled former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris as “genocidal mass murderers” for their support of Israel, calling the United States “the head of the snake,” and urges Americans to boycott the 2024 Presidential election. Protesters have waved Hamas and Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine flags while chanting ,“From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” Several members have claimed they will “organize, boycott, march, and resist oppression from Philadelphia to Ferguson, to Palestine and Congo and beyond.” 12 13 14
Associates
According to the right-of-center group Heritage Foundation, the Philly Palestine Coalition is part of what it calls the “Revolutionary Ecosystem,” a network of activist organizations that endorse extremist messaging and action while receiving funding from sources and donors it claims are far-left in nature. 15 16 Anti-Defamation League. “Who is Funding U.S. Anti-Israel Groups?” Center on Extremism. September 26, 2024. Accessed September 29, 2024. https://www.adl.org/resources/blog/who-funding-us-anti-israel-groups[/note]
The Philly Palestine Coalition plans and organizes protests as well as participating in protests arranged by similar organizations. For example, the group took part in Spring 2024 pro-Palestinian encampments on college campuses organized by local chapters of National Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP). 17 18 19
The group affiliates or works with similar local and national organizations including Jewish Voice for Peace, Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), Philadelphia Free Palestine Coalition, The Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), Code Pink (CODEPINK), American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), Palestinian Youth Movement USA, and Black Lives Matter. 20 21 22
Leadership
Nada Abuasi is the co-founder and lead organizer for the Philly Palestine Coalition as of 2024. Prior to this, he served as president of the Students for Justice in Palestine chapter at the University of Delaware and was affiliated with American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) Krystal Strong serves as an organizer with the organization. Prior to this, she worked as a “core organizer” with Black Lives Matter Philly and was affiliated with SJP as well. Nour Qutyan, a spokesperson for Philly Palestine Coalition, previously served as the President of the SJP chapter at Temple University and was affiliated with Jewish Voice for Peace in Philadelphia. 23
References
- “Canary Mission.” Accessed September 26, 2024. https://canarymission.org/campaign/Philly_Palestine_Coalition
- [1] “October 7 Crimes Against Humanity, War Crimes by Hamas-Led Groups | Human Rights Watch,” July 17, 2024. Accessed September 26, 2024. https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/07/17/october-7-crimes-against-humanity-war-crimes-hamas-led-groups
- WHYY. “Supporters of Palestine Are Protesting Philly News Coverage.” Accessed September 27, 2024. https://whyy.org/articles/philadelphia-israel-hamas-war-media-coverage-protest/
- WHYY. “Palestine Activists Protest Israel in Philadelphia on July 4.” Accessed September 29, 2024. https://whyy.org/articles/israel-palestine-protest-philadelphia-july-4/
- “Instagram.” Accessed September 27, 2024. https://www.instagram.com/p/C8xlzYSJPth/?hl=en
- Mcilwain • •, Kaleah. “‘Shake the City up’: Large pro-Palestinian Rally Marched through Center City Blocking Traffic.” NBC10 Philadelphia (blog), February 14, 2024. Accessed September 27, 2024. https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/large-protest-marching-through-center-city-philly-blocks-traffic/3775930/
- Rinde, Ali Mohsen, Meir. “Protestors Marched through Center City on Saturday Demanding an Immediate Ceasefire in Israel-Hamas War.” Billy Penn at WHYY, March 11, 2024. Accessed September 27, 2024. http://billypenn.com/2024/03/11/philadelphia-israel-hamas-war-protest-rittenhouse/
- Algemeiner, The. “Anti-Israel Coalition Justifies Targeting of Philadelphia Restaurant Owned by Israeli Chef, Cites ‘Genocide’ in Gaza – Algemeiner.Com Pro-Palestine Coalition Tries to Justify Targeting of Restaurant Owned by American-Israeli Chef Michael Solomonov,” December 5, 2023. Accessed September 27, 2024. https://www.algemeiner.com/2023/12/05/anti-israel-coalition-justifies-targeting-philadelphia-restaurant-owned-israeli-chef-cites-genocide-gaza/
- AP News. “Governor Rebukes Philadelphia Protesters for Chanting Outside Israeli Restaurant,” December 4, 2023. Accessed September 28, 2024. https://apnews.com/article/philadelphia-restaurant-gaza-israel-palestinians-protest-a8e2768075031d13a08325b0fca253ad
- Diaz, Johnny. “White House Condemns Protest at Israeli Restaurant in Philadelphia.” The New York Times, December 4, 2023, sec. U.S. Accessed September 28, 2024. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/04/us/white-house-philadelphia-protesters.html
- “Instagram.” Accessed September 28, 2024. https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fphillypalestinecoalition%2F%3Fhl%3Den&is_from_rle
- “Instagram.” Accessed September 28, 2024. https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fphillypalestinecoalition%2F%3Fhl%3Den&is_from_rle
- “- YouTube.” Accessed September 28, 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgBhQrgqQfQ
- “Instagram.” Accessed September 28, 2024. https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fphillypalestinecoalition%2F%3Fhl%3Den&is_from_rle
- [1] Kapos, Shia. “Pro-Palestinian Protesters Are Backed by a Surprising Source: Biden’s Biggest Donors. Politico, May 5, 2024. Accessed September 28, 2024. https://www.politico.com/news/2024/05/05/pro-palestinian-protests-columbia-university-funding-donors-00156135
- Gonzalez, Mike. “How the Revolutionary Ecosystem Sustains Pro-Palestinian Protesters and the BLM Movement.” The Heritage Foundation. Accessed September 28, 2024. https://www.heritage.org/global-politics/report/how-the-revolutionary-ecosystem-sustains-pro-palestinian-protesters-and-the
- WHYY. “Philly University Students Join Call for Ceasefire in Gaza; Encampment Established at Penn.” Accessed September 29, 2024. https://whyy.org/articles/philadelphia-gaza-ceasefire-protests/
- Segal, Oren. Congressional Testimony. Fueling Chaos: Tracing the Flow of Tax-Exempt Dollars to Antisemitism. Committee on Ways and Means U.S. House of Representatives. July 23, 2024. Accessed September 28, 2024. https://waysandmeans.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Segal-Testimony.pdf
- “What Is Students for Justice in Palestine, the Hamas-Supporting Anti-Israel Group Being Banned on College Campuses? | AJC,” February 23, 2024. Accessed September 28, 2024. https://www.ajc.org/news/what-is-students-for-justice-in-palestine-the-hamas-supporting-anti-israel-group-being-banned
- “Facebook.” Accessed September 29, 2024. https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fp%2FThe-Philadelphia-Free-Palestine-Coalition-100080249073151%2F
- CAIR. CAIR-PA, Jewish Voice for Peace, Philly Palestine Coalition Rally at State Capitol Against Investing in Israel Bonds (Video). February 5, 2024. Accessed September 29, 2024. https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-pa-jewish-voice-for-peace-philly-palestine-coalition-rally-at-state-capitol-against-investing-in-israel-bonds-video/
- Jewish Voice for Peace Philadelphia. “Get Involved.” Accessed September 29, 2024. http://phillyjvp.org/get-involved
- “Canary Mission.” Accessed September 26, 2024. https://canarymission.org/campaign/Philly_Palestine_Coalition