Organizers of anti-Israel protests at New York University (NYU) have been found to be directing their followers to a Telegram channel known for promoting Hamas and other terrorist organizations.
The discovery was made by Jewish Insider and later confirmed by the Washington Free Beacon.
The Telegram channel, named "Resistance News Network," was recommended by the NYU protest organizers via their own Telegram channel, "NYU Encampment Updates." The Resistance News Network is known for disseminating messages from Mohammed Deif, the commander in chief of Hamas, who openly endorsed the October 7 massacres in Israel and called for people to take up arms.
The NYU Encampment Updates account urged its followers to stay informed through the Resistance News Network, stating, "Eyes on Gaza, eyes on Rafah, eyes on students everywhere. Make sure youre plugged into Resistance News Network."
The Resistance News Network's feed features a pinned post with a video announcing the Al-Aqsa Flood, an event that resulted in the death of 1,200 Israelis and hundreds taken hostage. The account quoted Deif as saying, "They attacked the stationed worshippers and desecrated Al-Aqsa, and we have previously warned them."
The Anti-Defamation League has noted that the Telegram channel's posts often promote U.S. State Department-designated foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs). These include Hamas and its Al Qassam Brigades, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), Ansar Allah (the Houthis), Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ), Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, and Hezbollah.
This revelation comes amidst a surge of anti-Semitic tent encampments on college campuses across the country, starting with Columbia University. NYU Students for Justice in Palestine and Faculty for Justice in Palestine, both of which endorsed the encampment, have not responded to requests for comment.
Student protesters at NYU and Columbia claim to be part of an anti-war movement that rejects anti-Semitism and embraces Judaism. However, tensions escalated when a protester held a sign reading "Al-Qasams next target" in front of Jewish students holding the Israeli flag, referencing Hamass military wing responsible for the October 7 attack.
The protests took a violent turn when pro-Hamas agitators attempted to burn the Israeli flag. A group of Jewish students was assaulted, doused with water, and pursued by protesters, according to one of the students. "Public safety was nowhere to be found. Columbia has lost its campus," the student said. "This is why Jewish students don't feel safe. Because they are not."
Anti-Israel student groups have also shown support for Iran, a known backer of Hamas, following its unprecedented missile attack on Israel, claiming it was a justified response. Berkeley Bears for Palestine stated, "Iran wasnt attacking Israel. It was responding," suggesting that Iran attacked Israel because it refused a Gaza ceasefire. George Washington University Students for Justice in Palestine echoed this sentiment, arguing that Iran "is retaliating, not instigating a conflict."
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