On Wednesday, a Muslim journalist told the Senate Judiciary Committee that it has been turned into an “industry,” and called on the Justice Department to investigate “malign external influence” to be behind this.
Antisemitism has become a business. Asra Namani, the founder of the Pearl Project, told Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, that it is an “industry” that’s being perpetuated by groups that have even nonprofit status in America 501(c), 501(4)s. These are groups that believe their mission is to spread hatred by using Israel’s opposition as a Trojan Horse. This hatred is directed at our young students.
The 7th of October became the moment for them. What has happened is that unfortunately, not acknowledging their danger to our society and pulling our punches serves no one,” Nomani continued. It is not in the interests of a society that values inclusion. “An inclusive society does not tolerate hatred of any sort, including the hate that has been directed at our Jewish community. This kind of violence against them right now is epidemic.”
Nomani explained the history of the Pearl Project in her introduction. The project was a collaboration between faculty and students to investigate the murder of Daniel Pearl. Pearl had been Nomani’s colleague when both of them reported from Pakistan after the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Nomani claimed that he was killed and kidnapped by Islamic terrorists who targeted Pearl because he is a descendant from Israel.
Many people think that the kidnapper was targeting him because he is Jewish. But an FBI agent interviewed the man and found out that “I did not target him because he is Jewish.” Nomani said to the committee, “I targeted him because I am a son from Israel.” I am presenting to you the results of my investigation into the network responsible for the hatred directed against Danny over the past 22 years. They have been called agitators and protesters today. But they do have names. These people are part of a large network, which I’ve now numbered at over 1,500. “This is not a grass-roots organization.”
Nomani holds up the posters that were seen during recent anti-Israel demonstrations as well as at the Democratic National Convention and disseminated to American Muslims for Palestine.
The Richmond Director for American Muslims For Palestine, she said, was the man charged with spraying graffiti reading “Hamas Is Coming” in front of Union Station in Washington D.C. during protests last July against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit. She said that the other anti-Israel protesters were associated with the Party for Socialism and Liberation.
The hatred that led to the death of Danny Pearl in Karachi has now reached our streets. Our campuses are full of it. “It’s an alarming network of far-left and Islamist groups,” said she. Nobody in this room can support their ideals. They are opposed to individual liberty and the free market. They are out to destroy America. “They want to eliminate Israel. Our young Jewish students, Dannys of the future, are caught in their crosshairs.”
Nomani added: “We have to recognize the existential danger. This is an extensive network. They must be investigated. When they work for these foreign agents who want to destabilize America, we must register them under the Foreign Agent Registration Act. We must also support the leaders of the Muslim Reform Movement who are willing to stand with their Jewish counterparts.”
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) subsequently questioned a witness regarding the funding of the antisemitism within the United States.
Is it obvious that there are significant funds funding attacks against Jewish students and America? Cruz questioned Dr. Alyza Leewin, President of the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights.
“It is clear that there is coordination and there must be some common funding,” Lewin responded.
Lewin stated that she did not know of any investigation under the Biden justice department to track the funding behind antisemitic activity, nor was she aware anyone was being charged over this flow. Cruz asked Lewin if she knew of any universities or institutions that had Title VI federal funding cut off for “tolerating, welcoming,” or having “their officials cheering” on antisemitism. The witness replied no.
Cruz, in addition to arguing for free speech, suggested that the universities will punish those who dare dress up as Ku Klux Klan on campus.
They should deport them. They should deport them if they are foreign students. Cruz added, “If you’re horrified by the antisemitism, you will be able to see that the Trump Department of Justice follows the money and prosecutes those who pay for it, prosecutes violent perpetrators, and cuts off funding from the universities which tolerate and celebrate this.” This is what the law says. Ask yourself: “Why has the Biden Justice Department done absolutely nothing to stop this unfolding horror?”