Jessica Winegar, a professor at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, has been a long-time advocate of the BDS movement and has used her academic influence to promote anti-Semitic rhetoric, justify terrorism, and spread disinformation about Israel. Winegar’s leadership in the American Anthropological Association (AAA) and her involvement with radical organizations have made her a key figure in anti-Israel activism within academia.

Support for Terrorism & Palestinian Militants

• In 2016, Winegar retweeted an article from the Electronic Intifada (EI) that glorified Bilal Kayed, a terrorist from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP)—a designated terrorist organization in the U.S., Canada, the EU, and Israel. Kayed served 14 years in prison for his role in acts of terror during the Second Intifada.
• The same article also praised Ahmad Sa’adat (PFLP leader) and Marwan Barghouti, a terrorist convicted of orchestrating multiple attacks against Israeli civilians.
• In 2014, Winegar signed a petition defending Rasmea Odeh, a convicted terrorist responsible for the 1969 Jerusalem supermarket bombing that killed two Jewish civilians. Odeh was later deported from the U.S. for failing to disclose her terror ties.

Leading Role in an Extremist Movement

• Winegar helped orchestrate the American Anthropological Association’s (AAA) 2023 vote to boycott Israeli academic institutions, declaring:
  

  “This vote is an important step in showing that support for Palestinian rights goes hand in hand with the AAA’s values of human rights for all.”

• She moderated a BDS panel featuring Omar Barghouti, the founder of BDS, who openly calls for Israel’s destruction.
• Winegar has supported the BDS movement since 2005, stating:
  

  “US academic organizations are following in the footsteps [of South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle] and joining the fight for Palestinian freedom.”

Jessica Winegar’s Anti-Semitic Statements

• In 2016, Winegar accused Israel of conducting “ethnic cleansing” and labeled it an “apartheid regime”—a claim rejected by the IHRA as anti-Semitic.
• She has pushed the false narrative that pro-Israel Jewish students “infiltrate” universities to suppress anti-Zionist professors, echoing conspiracy theories of Jewish control over media and education.
• Winegar endorsed articles accusing pro-Israel Jews of “ethnic chauvinism” and claiming Israel has committed genocide.
• She described Israel’s security barrier—built to stop suicide bombings—as an “apartheid wall”, ignoring the fact that it has saved countless lives.

Destructive Influence at Northwestern University

• In 2024, Winegar was appointed to Northwestern’s task force negotiating with illegal pro-Palestinian encampments—despite her prior opposition to the task force’s creation.
• Pro-Israel groups condemned her appointment, citing her extreme bias and active role in the anti-Israel academic boycott movement.

Key Affiliations & Institutional Impact

• Professor at Northwestern University
• Leading Member of the AnthroBoycott Collective
• Advocate for the American Anthropological Association (AAA) boycott of Israel
• Supporter of Electronic Intifada, a known anti-Israel propaganda site

Jessica Winegar has used her academic position to spread anti-Semitic rhetoric, endorse anti-Israel boycotts, and defend terrorists. Her involvement in the BDS movement, glorification of Palestinian militants, and promotion of conspiracy theories have made her one of the most radical anti-Israel voices in U.S. academia.