World

Pro-Palestinians, CODEPINK, and LGBT Activists Join Boycott Israel Conference at University of Pennsylvania

Pro Palestinians Team up With “Social Justice,” CODEPINK, LGBT Activists at Boycott Israel Conference Next Weekend at University of Pennsylvania

Next weekend at the University of Pennsylvania, the National Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Conference is taking place, where pro-Palestinian activists are teaming up with a wide array of leftist causes including social and “racial justice” advocates, self-proclaimed “queer” activists, dedicated socialists and anti-Zionists aiming to grow the boycott Israel effort, whose ultimate goal is to “bring an end to Israel’s system of oppression, segregation and dispossession.”

While the BDS activists say they don’t oppose the existence of the State of Israel – just the “occupation” – a deeper look at some of those involved reveals a more basic opposition to the existence of the Jewish state altogether.

The best glimpse into the unstated goal of the BDS movement is to know the conference’s keynote speaker. As the conference speakers list states:

Pro Palestinians Team up With “Social Justice,” CODEPINK, LGBT Activists at Boycott Israel Conference Next Weekend at University of Pennsylvania

Ali Abunimah (Photo from National BDS Conference)

“Ali Abunimah is a Palestinian American journalist and co-founder of Electronic Intifada. A graduate of Princeton University and University of Chicago, Abunimah has contributed to many publications…”

What’s omitted from the short bio is that Abunimah opposes a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Instead, he advocates the “One State Solution.” Translation: a bi-national Jewish-Arab state which by demographics and the “return” of millions of Palestinian refugees would spell the end of the Jewish state and eventually establish the 23rd Arab state in the Middle East. His book (which is not listed as one of his achievements in the BDS conference bio) laying out that vision is One Country: A Bold Proposal to End the Israeli-Palestinian Impasse.

On his website, Electronic Intifada, Abunimah wrote in 2007 that he met Barack Obama half a dozen times before he became president, “often at Palestinian and Arab-American community events in Chicago…” In an article complaining Obama tilted more toward Israel after being elected, Abunimah writes that previously, “Obama was forthright in his criticism of US policy and his call for an even-handed approach to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.”

Abunimah describes a 2004 conversation with Obama when he was in the middle of the Senate primary campaign:

As he came in from the cold and took off his coat, I went up to greet him. He responded warmly, and volunteered, “Hey, I’m sorry I haven’t said more about Palestine right now, but we are in a tough primary race. I’m hoping when things calm down I can be more up front.” He referred to my activism, including columns I was contributing to the The Chicago Tribune critical of Israeli and US policy, “Keep up the good work!”

Other conference speakers reflect the growing cooperation, as seen in Occupy Wall Street, between thematically unrelated groups in the fight for “social justice” and the Palestinian cause. Examples include:

Nancy Kricorian, “coordinator of CODEPINK NYC, a grassroots peace and social justice movement.”

Bill Fletcher, Jr, the “editor of BlackCommentator.com. He is a labor, racial justice and international activist and was a key player in both the anti-Apartheid and US Civil Rights movements.”

Dr. J. Kehaulani Kauanui is on the advisory board of the USACBI (US Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel). More on Dr. Kauanui from her bio:

She is the author of Hawaiian Blood: Colonialism and the Politics of Sovereignty and Indigeneity … Kauanui is a co-founder of the Native American and Indigenous Studies Association, as well as the producer and host of a public affairs radio program, ‘Indigenous Politics: From Native New England and Beyond’…Her research areas include: settler colonialism; comparative indigeneity; anarchism and the state; and decolonization & nation-building.

Philip Weiss, a “self-described ‘anti-Zionist’ Jewish writer.”

Several gay and lesbian activists are also taking part, despite the fact that Israel is the only country in the Middle East where gays can live freely without fear of discrimination or violence. Even Palestinian gays take refuge in Israel for fear of attacks in the West Bank. Tel Aviv was recently named by American Airlines as the “Best Gay City” for vacationers.

Those speakers include:

Sherry Wolf, a journalist “who focuses on LGBT equality, human rights, and economic justice. In addition to her books, she has contributed to multiple publications, including the Nation, New Politics, and Dissident Voice, and has served as co-editor of the International Socialist Review.”

Dr. Heather Love “is an Associate Professor of English at the University of Pennsylvania and author of ‘Feeling Backward: Loss and the Politics of Queer History.’”

BDS conference organizers are open about cultivating allies among other leftist causes. The conference website states:

Special attention will be devoted to building alliances and uniting in struggle with other constituencies engaged in resistance to bigotry in all its forms, from African Americans to those fighting for LGBT rights.

Stand With US, a pro-Israel group, released a statement saying:

“most of the scheduled speakers are extremists who oppose the existence of the Jewish state and irresponsibly spread propaganda, distort facts, whitewash or justify terrorism and the murder of Jews, and frequently lie about basic facts to demonize Israel and its supporters.”

Stand With Us researched the speakers and discovered:

Another invited speaker, Helena Cobban, has claimed that Israelis are “incapable of empathy and compassion for other people.”  (January 2009, Georgetown University)  Keynote speaker Ali Abunimah has declared that “Ending the occupation does not solve the problem.  The Jews do not view all human beings as equal. The 1948 borders were calculated to harm Christians, Arabs, Palestinians and Muslims.” (Chicago Sabeel Conference, October 7, 2005) Speaker Susan Abulhawa resurrects blood libels, claiming that: “Palestinians are killed as if insects not because of Hamas or Yasser Arafat before them…..Palestinians burn and bleed because they are the non-Jewish natives of that land. There is no other reason.”  (Jan. 6, 2009 here)

We trust that if a white supremacist, Islamophobic or homophobic group held a conference on campus, university administrations would condemn the prejudice and bigotry of the messages.  The same principle should apply when Israel and Jews are targeted.

Opening night of the conference includes a screening of the film “Roadmap to Apartheid.” Narrated by novelist and “Free Gaza Flotilla” supporter Alice Walker, the film cultivates the comparison of Israel to apartheid South Africa. The apartheid label is one that’s found favor in pro-Palestinian circles – bolstered by President Jimmy Carter’s 2006 book Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid – even though a cursory knowledge about Israel would belie that comparison. The film is also being played at Occupy AIPAC, as discussed on GBTV this week.

“Apartheid” is a powerful word and effective tool for anti-Israel activists to enlist. The association with South Africa elicits an immediate negative response for Americans, while college students hearing their professors use the label may never seek solid information about Israel including the thousands of examples that falsify the comparison. Such examples include an Arab supreme court justice, Arab members of Knesset (including those who meet with Hamas), Arab diplomats serving in Israel’s overseas embassies and consulates, Arab officers in the Israeli army (from the Druse Arab sector), and many more. Israel is the only real democracy in the Middle East, with an independent judiciary, a vibrant press free to criticize the government, free and fair elections, and freedom of religion.

The University of Pennsylvania BDS conference discussions include: “Pinkwashing to Pinkwatching: Queer Organizing and BDS,” “Lessons from the South African Struggle,” “BDS and the Black Community,” “Community Coalition Building.”

Even while accusing Israel of racism without acknowledging the concrete facts about the country, conference organizers seem sensitive themselves to being labeled racist:

While it is clearly stated on our website, we nonetheless reiterate that PennBDS categorically and unequivocally condemns any form of racism, including anti-Semitism. We are fundamentally an anti-racist and anti-discrimination organization that seeks to promote non-violent forms of protest against long-standing official Israeli policies that we believe deny civil, political and human rights to Palestinians based on their ethnicity. We make a clear distinction between Israeli policy and the Jewish people. Jews are well represented in the BDS movement worldwide and groups like Jewish Voice for Peace and Philadelphia Jews for a Just Peace, both pro-BDS organizations, will be fielding speakers at our conference.

The Jewish Federation reports the conference is being organized independently and is not being sponsored by the University of Pennsylvania.

Comments (59)

1 2
  • MarsBarsTru7
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 2:22pm

    The radical left, Islamists, and neo-Nazi Jew-haters will never join forces. Nope. Never. It won’t happen. Glenn Beck doesn‘t know what he’s talking about. This isn’t happening. You’re imagining things. This is just a peaceful gathering of like-minded individuals that just want what is best for the world. There’s nothing to see here people. You can all go home.

    Doublespeak and doublethink are doubleplus good – 1984

    Report Post »  
  • OhYeah
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 11:45am

    these people do not get it… I suggest they live in Palestine for a year and let them parade around with their lifestyle of nudity and gay relationships. then they can come back here and preach…if they survive Sharia law…

    Report Post » OhYeah  
    • marion
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 12:33pm

      Absolutely agree. They would get naked, run around kissing the same sex, see Sharia law for ten minutes and cease to exist, it is just that simple. Gotta give the Palestinians credit for gathering all the social entities they totally disagree with to join them. I guess their doctrine of deception of their enemy and working with them to attain their goals, then get rid of them just the way any backstabbing left wing entity does still works, but I would think the GLBT would be a little more intelligent about their demise if the Sharia law supporters were to get into power.

      Report Post »  
    • paperpushermj
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 12:48pm

      Just proof that Politics Trumps Religion

      Report Post » paperpushermj  
  • TH30PH1LUS
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 10:35am

    Let them glitter-bomb Muhammed and see what happens.

    Report Post » TH30PH1LUS  
    • USPATRIOT101
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 11:20am

      LBGT?!?!? and you wonder why I will never acknowledge this group. It starts out as rights for gays then manifests itself into a group that shts on one of America’s greatest allies. Screw LBGT and code pink.

      Report Post » USPATRIOT101  
  • sndrman
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 10:21am

    LOL also from the university of chicago? to funny…..wonder how women are treated in the muslim world?wonder if codepink could wear shorts, bikinis,tank tops,if glbt“queers” self proclaimed would last more than hours. wonder if the gay community that is supporting this knows what happends to gays in the muslim world let me give you a clue hanging in public. and these same groups are out supporting anti-ISRAEL….ISRAEL is the only true democracy and surrounded but sheer anti-democracy people….talk about being uninformed.

    Report Post »  
  • dmforman
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 10:03am

    Our Founding Fathers, especially Benjamin Franklin, the Universities founder is rolling in his grave and shaking his cane down on us today. The University of Pennsylvania, founded by Quakers, was the first university to admit Jews, and this protest goes against those that found it. Our university systems need huge overhauls. The many Jews who graduated from Penn, should be outraged and offended by this demonstration.

    Report Post »  
  • Elaine P
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 10:00am

    These idiots who are calling for boycott of Israel have no idea what they are doing. They are bringing the Judgment of THE ALMIGHTY GOD down on them. They are so stupid they have no idea what they are doing, but will find out shortly. GOD HAS NOT broken the Covenant he made with Israel. GOD has plainly outlined in the HOLY BIBLE the land that Israel will have in the end. And it is all of Jerusalem, parts of Jordan and a large portion of the Middle East. So, to all you Jew Haters, you might as well get ready, for you are in for some severe Judgment from GOD. It is coming and soon.

    Report Post »  
  • barber2
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 9:56am

    Am beginning to think that Mother Nature is trying to solve the over-population problem by spawning a bunch of dysfunctional humans whose mental mis-directions will cause WWIII . Boom. Problem solved. Back to **** roaches ruling the earth…..

    Report Post »  
  • Watchyer6
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 9:55am

    Are these gays and lesbians that misguided or uninformed that they are supporting countries where being gay is punishable by death?

    Report Post » Watchyer6  
  • littlefish
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 9:51am

    Palestinians ( kill the Jews ) were convinced B O would look the other way when they conducted
    their new wave of genocide . . . . Barry wants it both ways . . . .kill jews and tax them . . . .
    same as all the leftists …….steal or destroy what others have earned . . .the Occupy people want this too . . .. but they want someone else to do it . . .then hand them the spoils……
    HOW did THIS guy get to be President . . .??

    Report Post » littlefish  
    • goahead.makemyday
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 4:58pm

      Firstly, people believing the media, and two generations of teens being brainwashed in Universities. Oh also people were still reacting to being called a racist without demanding proof. Lastly, most people didn’t do their homework.

      Report Post » goahead.makemyday  
  • freethought
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 9:49am

    I’m certain that the gay community is welcomed with open arms by the Palestinians, Iranians and all their supporters.

    Really? Really……….?

    The depth of the stupidity shown by the LGBT community here is unfathomable.

    Report Post »  
    • Twobyfour
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 10:43am

      Arab homosexuals are leaving PA areas in droves for Israel. They know better than their American counterparts, with their hide on the line.

      Report Post » Twobyfour  
  • 13th Imam
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 9:37am

    How much Actual 53%ers Taxpayers stolen money goes to the Univ of Penn?? All should be stopped, as one group of people are being singled out. Funny thing is , if the Sand Arabs got control of the Holyland, Israel,, , Code Stink rabblerouser, and Every Gay, *****, and Tranny, would be eliminated exterminated.
    All Jewish and anti-BDS alum of the UOPenn, should cease supporting this so-called univ.

    Report Post » 13th Imam  
  • natstew
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 9:05am

    The head of our worst enemy lives in the White House.

    Report Post »  
    • NOBAMA201258
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 9:31am

      So the Phalloustinians have the support of the queer community,what a shocker ! Boycott the U of Penn

      Report Post »  
  • JACKTHETOAD
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 8:59am

    The Jewish people need to realize these nutjobs are trying to engineer the second Holocaust. not only in the ME, but over here too. They’re jealous of your knowledge, your stick togrtherness, but mainly your wealth. All you need to do is follow the money. Stop being decieved. Stop being lefties.

    Report Post » JACKTHETOAD  
  • Popp40
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 8:58am

    You know how everyone was saying that Obama would be the “Great Uniter”…..well they were right. He has united all of these left liberal radical groups together. Everything Obama claimed he would do during his “official” campaign he is doing. People are just not looking at it at the right angle, take a back and when you do you will see he has kept his word. The only issue in this case is that once these groups get what they want…..they will turn on one another so fast and destroy one another.

    Report Post »  
    • barber2
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 10:08am

      Like all revolutions based in hatred: they can’t stop hating so they eat one another after they destroy their first targets. Hate is dysfunctional and destructive . There is more than moral truth in “love .” Love works and love creates. Hate destroys.

      Report Post »  
  • DVDJR
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 8:57am

    No protest against those who support the subjugation or death of non-Mulsims? I’m referring to Muslims who have accepted and believe in the literal truth of the Koran.

    Report Post »  
  • GrayPanther
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 8:45am

    Strange bedfellows, Marxist, Muslims and gay activists. Behind the terrorist movement has been the USSR and its satellite countries. The communist party without claiming credit is the wide world coordinator of these issues. Note the Occupy Wall Street that went into the foreign countries. Deceit has been a key to the communists in America as they infiltrated our government, churches, labor unions and the “ class struggle” of minorities. Get an old copy of J Edgar Hoovers book “The Masters of Deceit” and follow the revelations that now control the Democrat Party in the USA and started the United Nations. The Universities of America need to remove all Marxist professors but will not until they are forced to by alumni and the withdraw of state and federal funding.

    Report Post » GrayPanther  
    • NOTAMUSHROOM
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 9:10am

      Amen to that. All of these people are truly the living incarnations of Lenin’s Useful Idiots.

      Report Post »  
  • let us prey
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 8:43am

    Is this a spin off of Bush Derangement Syndrome? What Krauthammer Talked about many years ago? I find it interesting that they do not know what these animals would do to them. They may find out soon enough.

    Report Post » let us prey  
  • joe conservative
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 8:35am

    That’s one thing about this administration, it’s brought all these radical froups out in the open. Remember though, it‘s only bigotry and hatred if you’re a conservative.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jds7JMG1Ii8

    Report Post » joe conservative  
    • barber2
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 10:04am

      Yes. Who would have thought , even 10 years ago, that Marxism would be promoted by the Democrat Party and by the occupier of the White House ! Amazing ” change.” Not in a good way.

      Report Post »  
  • objectivetruth
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 8:34am

    If someone had of told me, that these groups would come together to protest, the only country in the region, symphathetic to their respective plights.I’d have asked them if they were crazy.Not in todays world though.I ,of all people. appreciate the following motto.Be careful that you don’t become that which you fight.What makes any of these people think that the jews are becoming as hitler to the palestinians.The factions in palestine that want war are in fact doing so.Not the citizens at large.Although they are the ones that suffer the most.When you put the radical agenda, ahead of your own people, you aren’t a leader, you are in fact a coward.You aren’t going to be able to launch rockets and terrify intimidate and destroy another country without blowback.Once again we see radical political factions holding the citizens of both countries hostage.Just because you don‘t see the bars doesn’t mean that they don’t exist.
    Someone once asked why it seems many americans wouldn’t mind seeing the ME turned into a glass skating rink.It isn’t hatred,its exhaustion.We are so tired of their ridiculous religious wars we can’t see straight.Most americans just want out of that region of the world.When will our leaders listen and act?

    Report Post »  
    • barber2
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 10:01am

      Great assessment. We are just tired of the never ending hatred which seems to have now spread worldwide and to America. The Occupies. The Dominant Media. The White House. The Big Lies. The Hidden records. The Hate Speech/ anti Capitalism….tiring indeed.

      Report Post »  
  • NOBALONEY
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 8:32am

    Obama’s people! They want what the President wants, but more. While the Khilafah continues, and the world economy is in the tank. President Obama’s SOTU was full of his lies! The Main Stream Media, and Congress are compliant with giving this President the tools to become a dictator!

    Report Post » NOBALONEY  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 8:29am

    Hey Code Pink, the Mulims you support would take your driving privileges away and beat you senseless if you complain. LGBT people…they’ll just kill you. Brilliant.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • yougottabekidding
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 8:26am

    After seeing what this university did to JOEPA it does not surprise me that they are having
    a racial derogation conference at a state school.

    Report Post »  
    • dmforman
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 8:49am

      You have the Wrong University. Penn State is the Pennsylvania State University, a state college in Happy Valley. The University of Pennsylvania (Penn) is an Ivy League school founded by Benjamin Franklin and Quakers. It was one of the first universities to allow Jewish people to attend.

      Please get your facts straight and know what you’re talking about before commenting. Your ignorance shows.

      Report Post »  
    • JACKTHETOAD
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 8:50am

      YOUGOTTABEKIDDING, the University Of Pennsylvania isn’t the Pennsylvania State University. Wrong school, but the right sentiment.

      Report Post » JACKTHETOAD  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 8:21am

    .
    Pro-Palestinians, CODEPINK, and LGBT Activists Join Boycott Israel Conference at University of Pennsylvania.

    You People will Boycott Israel, but PROTECT A PEDOPHILE…….That’s just messed up…..

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
    • SoupSandwich
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 8:28am

      That cow Cindy Sheehan needs to pay her taxes from the last 8-9 years. Pretty big tent they have there.

      Report Post »  
  • ZomBrad
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 8:17am

    Someone needs to tell the gays what happens to them in Muslim countries before teaming up with pro-palistinians >.>

    Report Post »  
    • Baddoggy
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 8:29am

      No…let them find out on their own.

      Report Post » Baddoggy  
    • USPATRIOT101
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 11:56am

      These morons hate America so much they will side with other countries that have equal hate just to further their agenda. Blind are they to the fact that one trip to these countries will get them killed. Oh well, good riddens.

      Report Post » USPATRIOT101  
  • lukerw
    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 8:13am

    A University that supports… Revolt, Treason, and Destruction… should be SHUT DOWN!

    Report Post » lukerw  
    • lynnissmart
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 9:13am

      I agree! And all should be arrested for Treason….especially Code Pinky, Dinky, Stinky!

      Report Post »  
1 2

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love