Anthony Zenkus, a Columbia University lecturer and outspoken activist, has garnered significant controversy for his public support of Hamas and repeated expressions of anti-Semitic rhetoric. His participation in pro-Hamas activities and online dissemination of inflammatory statements position him as a divisive figure whose actions and rhetoric amplify dangerous ideologies.

Anthony Zenkus’ Support for Hamas and Controversial Activism

Participation in the Pro-Hamas Encampment at Columbia

• In April 2024, Zenkus actively participated in the “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” at Columbia University.
  • In a recorded statement, he expressed solidarity with “our brothers, sisters, and others in Gaza and the West Bank” and praised the students’ efforts despite the violent incidents associated with the encampment.
  • The encampment, organized by Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD) and other anti-Israel groups, was marked by arrests, confrontations, and the illegal takeover of campus facilities.
  • The encampment was a known hub for glorifying Hamas, and participants reportedly engaged in actions such as holding a university worker hostage and displaying propaganda glorifying violence.

Defending Hamas

• On November 13, 2023, Zenkus downplayed the threat posed by Hamas in a tweet, asserting, “Hamas is not an existential threat to the state of Israel. If anything, Netanyahu and his policies are…”
  • This statement came in the wake of the October 7, 2023, Hamas terror attacks, widely regarded as one of the most brutal massacres in recent history. Hamas executed war crimes, including mass murder, rape, and beheadings, leaving over 1,200 civilians dead and hundreds kidnapped.
  • By minimizing the atrocities committed by Hamas and redirecting blame to others, Zenkus engaged in rhetoric that trivializes terrorism and undermines accountability.

Anti-Semitic Rhetoric

Online Incitement

Zenkus has repeatedly made statements that propagate anti-Semitism and vilify Jewish self-determination:

• October 31, 2023: Zenkus tweeted, “Zionism is racism. Zionism is apartheid [sic].”
• December 27, 2023: He accused Israel of engaging in “ethnic cleansing.”
• December 16, 2023: He dismissed Israel’s military response to Hamas terror as “70 days of constant indiscriminate bombardment.”
  • These statements align with common anti-Semitic tropes that demonize Jewish self-determination and misrepresent complex geopolitical issues.

Historical Revisionism

• On October 10, 2023, just three days after Hamas’s atrocities, Zenkus attempted to draw a moral equivalence between Israel and Hamas by tweeting, “Israel has also committed war crimes against Palestinians in Gaza for decades.”
  • Such rhetoric deflects attention from Hamas’s crimes while perpetuating narratives that incite hatred and division.

Professional Affiliations and Background

• Academic Roles:
  • Senior Lecturer at Columbia University’s School of Social Work.
  • Adjunct faculty at Adelphi University’s School of Social Work.
• Director of Education:
  • The Safe Center LI, Inc., Bethpage, Long Island.
• Educational Background:
  • Holds a master’s degree in social work from Stony Brook University (2002).

Conclusion

Anthony Zenkus’s participation in pro-Hamas activities and repeated expressions of anti-Semitic rhetoric underscore his dangerous alignment with extremist ideologies. Through his academic and activist roles, Zenkus amplifies divisive narratives that undermine efforts for peace and justice. His actions and statements position him not only as a controversial figure but as a propagator of ideologies that pose a threat to societal harmony and safety.