Nerdeen Kiswani is a self-styled activist and the founder of Within Our Lifetime (WOL), an extremist organization based in New York City that has become a breeding ground for incendiary rhetoric, anti-Semitism, and the glorification of terrorism. Kiswani has a long history of promoting violence, spreading hatred, and inciting young people to adopt dangerous ideologies. Her activities and speeches have made her a controversial figure whose influence poses a serious threat to societal harmony and the intellectual growth of young minds.

Nerdeen Kiswani’s Legacy of Incitement and Violence

Open Support for Terrorism

• Kiswani has repeatedly celebrated and defended acts of violence committed by terrorist organizations. On March 24, 2024, in reference to Hamas, she tweeted: “Palestinian resistance is heroic… I will always stand with our resistance because if it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t exist today and neither would Palestine.”
  This unambiguous endorsement of terrorism glorifies groups that have killed innocent civilians, including children.
• In her speeches, she has cited figures like Leila Khaled, a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) known for hijacking planes, as “icons in the Palestinian liberation struggle.” Kiswani openly praised Khaled’s violent acts as “necessary” and “inspiring.”
• On July 31, 2021, she told a rally: “I hope that a pop-pop is the last noise that some Zionists hear in their lifetime!” This chilling statement, delivered with casual malice, was met with cheers from the crowd.

Anti-Semitic Tropes and Demonization

• Kiswani’s rhetoric consistently targets Jewish communities, painting them as villains and oppressors. At a rally, she led the chant: “Say it loud, say it clear! We don’t want no Zionists here!”
  By conflating Zionism—a movement advocating Jewish self-determination—with an evil ideology, Kiswani feeds into classic anti-Semitic tropes that demonize Jews as a whole.
• On October 31, 2024, she posted on social media: “I like my coffee Nazi-free and not solely a capitalist endeavor…” equating Zionism with Nazism, an insidious and false comparison that trivializes historical atrocities while maligning modern Jewish identity.
• Her speeches often accuse Jewish individuals and organizations of heinous crimes. For instance, she has described Jewish movements for self-determination as “white supremacist ideologies” and repeatedly denied the legitimacy of Jewish connections to the land of Israel.

Glorification of Martyrdom and Intifada

• Kiswani has been a leading voice in promoting violent uprisings under the guise of “resistance.” During a rally in 2021, she chanted: “There is only one solution: Intifada, revolution!”
  The term “intifada,” often romanticized by activists like Kiswani, refers to violent uprisings marked by suicide bombings, stabbings, and shootings targeting civilians.
• At a WOL protest, she declared: “We are 100% behind our martyrs. We are 100% behind our resistance.” By framing acts of terrorism as martyrdom, Kiswani seeks to normalize and glorify violence among impressionable youth.

Dangerous Influence on Young Minds

Nerdeen Kiswani’s activities are particularly alarming because of her ability to influence and radicalize students and young activists. As a former organizer with the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and now as a leader of WOL, she has weaponized her platform to disseminate hateful ideologies.

• At a 2024 protest, Kiswani encouraged students to embrace extremism, saying: “We should all risk suspension! We should all risk getting fired!”
  Such rhetoric promotes a reckless disregard for personal and societal consequences, encouraging young people to take dangerous actions under the guise of activism.
• Her speeches often emphasize escalation and confrontation. During the Columbia University encampment in April 2024, she declared: “We must escalate! The genocide is far from over! A ceasefire is not enough!”

Kiswani’s influence extends beyond rallies. Through her social media platforms, she has built a cult-like following among impressionable youth, many of whom are drawn to her incendiary rhetoric and distorted narrative of resistance.

Controversial Incidents and Criminal Activity

Arrest at Pro-Hamas Rally

In January 2024, Kiswani was arrested at a protest in New York City titled: “Flood AIPAC, Elbit, and Friends of the IDF for Gaza.” The rally, organized in response to the October 7 Hamas attacks, featured clashes with the police, arson, and violent rhetoric. Protesters burned American flags and praised Hamas’s actions.

Columbia University Encampment

In April 2024, Kiswani participated in a multi-day encampment at Columbia University that featured violence, hostage-taking, and vandalism. During the event, Kiswani urged participants to stay committed, saying: “All eyes on Columbia! All eyes on encampments everywhere!”

Statements of Hatred and Division

• “From the River to the Sea! All our lands will be free!”—A call for the elimination of a nation.
• “Step on that flag! That’s the flag of genocide and colonialism!”—Encouraging physical desecration and hatred.
• “We don’t need words; we need resistance by any means necessary.”—A blatant endorsement of violent action.

Conclusion

Nerdeen Kiswani is not merely an activist—she is a figure whose rhetoric and actions embody a dangerous ideology that glorifies violence and sows division. Her consistent praise for terrorists, open calls for the death of others, and promotion of martyrdom make her a toxic influence on society.

Kiswani’s reach and ability to radicalize young minds represent a clear and present danger. By spreading hate and normalizing violence, she undermines the very fabric of civil discourse, endangering not only the individuals she influences but also the broader community. Her actions must be viewed with the gravity they deserve—a concerted effort to spread chaos and division under the guise of liberation.