The founder of a radical anti-Israel, pro-Hamas activist group said she does not want Zionists “anywhere” in the world while speaking in defense of a person who called for “Zionists” to leave a crowded subway car in New York City.
Nerdeen Kiswani, the founder of Within Our Lifetime, wrote on Twitter/X on Thursday that “We don’t want zionists in Palestine, NYC, our schools, on the train, ANYWHERE.”
“This is free speech,” she continued, “it is saying we don’t want racists here.”
Zionism refers to the belief that there should be a Jewish state in some part of the land of Israel.
Kiswani later emphasized that “Even believing in the ‘two state solution’ makes you a Zionist whether you realize it or not.” This includes Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, she claims, because “he’s a puppet and doesn’t challenge its [Israel’s] right to exist.”
Eitan Fischberger, a communications analyst and former Staff Sargent in the Israel Defense Forces, responded to Kiswani’s statement saying “Somebody help me: What do you call it when people want to ethnically cleanse the Jews from everywhere on Earth?”
But Kiswani argued back, “Zionist does not mean Jewish. Most Zionists in the US are Christian.”
Kiswani’s statements came in response to backlash caused by a fellow anti-Israel activist yelling, “Raise your hand if you’re a Zionist… this is your chance to get out…,” while on a crowded subway car earlier this month.
The suspect, an unidentified man, is being searched for by the New York Police Department. Police reportedly intend to charge him with coercion and possibly a hate crime charge.
[The Algemeiner Report continues]
Then, in May, at a rally, she declared, “Biden is the oldest president in our entire history,” Kiswani said, “He is going to die soon!” It was followed by overwhelming excitement and cheers from her fellow rally-goers.
Her organization, Within Our Lifetime, was behind the recent protests at the Nova Music Festival exhibit, which was about the more than 300 civilians slaughtered by Hamas while at a music festival.
The protest included several instances of antisemitism, prompting widespread condemnation, including from US President Joe Biden and progressive members of Congress.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wrote on Twitter/X “The callousness, dehumanization, and targeting of Jews on display at last night’s protest outside the Nova Festival exhibit was atrocious antisemitism – plain and simple.”
View the Algemeiner Report from June 21st