Anti-Israel Demonstrations Mark Oct. 7 Anniversary Nationwide

Anti-Israel groups organized rallies in multiple U.S. cities on the anniversary of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. Demonstrators displayed Palestinian flags and chanted slogans, including "long live the intifada," in events held in New York and California, among other states. Some organizations explicitly celebrated the Hamas-led ambush that resulted in over a thousand civilian deaths.

In New York City, the NYU Students for Justice in Palestine staged a walkout in Washington Square Park as part of their "NYU WEEK OF RAGE." Later, demonstrators from The Columbia Intifada and other groups gathered at Columbia University, chanting "globalize the intifada." These groups subsequently moved to New York City Hall, protesting outside the office of Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Mamdani had previously commented on the anniversary, stating "we grieve alongside our many friends and neighbors" while also criticizing Israel's actions in Gaza.

In California, Students for Justice in Palestine UCLA organized a rally at Bruin Plaza on the Los Angeles campus. At UC Davis, some demonstrators referred to October 7 as the "anniversary of the al-Aqsa Flood," which is the military code name used by Hamas for the attack.

The protests highlighted the role of various non-profit organizations in coordinating anti-Israel demonstrations. Organizations such as the People’s Forum and CodePink, which have received significant funding from Neville Roy Singham, have been consistently involved in these events. Fox News Digital reported that Singham has donated millions to the People's Forum. CodePink, co-founded by Singham's wife, Jodie Evans, has also participated in protests against Israeli leadership.

Singham, an American businessman living in Shanghai, has reportedly funneled substantial amounts of money into a network of non-profits that organize protests against U.S. immigration policies, Israel, and in favor of Iran. A grand jury probe into Singham’s finances was reportedly opened by the Southern District of New York in June, though no charges have been filed.

Trauma psychologist Dr. Orli Peter, founder of the Israel Healing Initiative, stated that such demonstrations "manipulate the public" by "weaponizing the anniversary" and detracting from the mourning of Jewish people. She described the actions as an attempt to "show power over the mourners."

The October 7 attack saw Hamas-led terrorists breach the Gaza border into southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages. The conflict that followed is ongoing. Organizations like the Singham network, including groups such as People’s Forum and CodePink, have been central to organizing many anti-Israel protests since the initial attack.