Ahmad Almallah, a faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn), has garnered attention for his support of terrorist organizations, antisemitic rhetoric, and leadership in pro-terror rallies during the late 2023 period. Almallah’s actions include leading chants glorifying violence, defending Hamas, and promoting extremist ideologies through public protests and social media. His behavior underscores a troubling alignment with groups and ideologies that advocate violence and hate.
Ahmad Almallah’s Support for Terrorism
- Twitter Photo: As of December 2023, Almallah’s Twitter profile photo was an illustration of Ghassan Kanafani, a known leader and spokesperson for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a designated terrorist organization. Kanafani was linked to the 1972 Lod Airport Massacre, which killed 26 civilians and injured 80 others.
- Chants at Rallies: Almallah regularly led protesters in extremist chants, including:
- “There is only one solution: intifada, revolution!”
- “Resistance is justified!”
These phrases have long been associated with violent uprisings and glorification of terrorism.
Prominent Incidents of Extremist Advocacy
- December 3, 2023 – Leading Pro-Terror Chants in Philadelphia:
- At an anti-Israel rally titled “Flood Philly For Gaza” organized by the Philly Palestine Coalition, Almallah led chants glorifying violence and revolution.
- Protesters also targeted a Jewish-owned business, chanting:
- “Goldie, Goldie, you can’t hide! We charge you with genocide!”
- October 16, 2023 – Collective Walkout for Palestine at Penn:
- Almallah led chants calling for destruction of the Jewish homeland with the slogan:
- “From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free!”
- Repeatedly accused the United States and others of supporting “genocide” while directing fiery rhetoric at American policymakers.
- Almallah led chants calling for destruction of the Jewish homeland with the slogan:
- October 18, 2023 – Vigil and Walkout for Gaza at Penn:
- Almallah led pro-terror chants, including:
- “There is only one solution: intifada, revolution!”
- Protesters glorified “martyrs” and accused opponents of “genocide” and “ethnic cleansing.”
- Almallah led pro-terror chants, including:
- October 25, 2023 – Anti-Israel Rally in Philadelphia:
- Almallah performed his own poem, “A Poem for Gaza, A Poem for Palestine,” weaving incendiary language into his rhetoric.
- Protesters chanted:
- “Smash the settler Zionist state!”
- “Long live the intifada!”
Alignment with Extremist Ideologies
Almallah’s rhetoric and public actions reflect consistent support for extremist and violent ideologies:
- Defense of “Resistance”: Frequently uses the term “resistance,” a euphemism among extremists for acts of violence and terrorism.
- Call for Intifada: Openly advocates for uprisings marked by attacks on civilians, including stabbings, bombings, and shootings.
- Defense of Terrorism: By glorifying figures like Ghassan Kanafani, Almallah aligns himself with those who have orchestrated violence against civilians.
Antisemitic Rhetoric
- Almallah’s protests and speeches have repeatedly employed antisemitic tropes, using language aimed at demonizing Jewish communities and accusing them of crimes without basis. For example:
- Targeting Jewish-owned businesses with chants like “We charge you with genocide!”
- Advocating for slogans like “Smash the settler Zionist state!” which thinly veil antisemitic intentions.
Conclusion
Ahmad Almallah’s public actions, speeches, and social media presence reveal a clear pattern of extremism, antisemitism, and support for terrorist organizations. His role in academic and artistic settings further exacerbates the concern, as it positions him to disseminate these harmful ideologies to impressionable audiences. Almallah’s rhetoric and activism have no place in a setting that values peace, equality, and mutual understanding.