The slogan “Death to America” is gaining momentum among anti-Israel protesters, including students at the University of Michigan who were given pamphlets with such sentiments. The protests have gained steam in recent weeks, with participants chanting anti-American slogans at rallies in Dearborn, Michigan. Activists associated with the Hadi institute have called for chants of “Death to America” and “Death to Israel” during demonstrations. This rise in protests can be partly attributed to wavering support for Israel among top Democrats, with some expressing concern over U.S. policy towards Gaza.
The protests, which are said to be “mostly peaceful,” have included antisemitic chants and expressions of support for Hamas. Participants have chanted slogans like “We are Hamas” at events in places like Columbia University. These demonstrations have led to increased pressure on President Biden, with groups like “Listen to Michigan” and “Abandon Biden” calling for changes in U.S. policy towards Israel. The president recently held a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging an immediate ceasefire and threatening a policy change if civilians were not protected.
The chants of “Death to America” in Dearborn were part of a movement aimed at denying President Biden reelection over his handling of the Israel-Gaza conflict. Calls for halting U.S. weapons shipments to Israel and holding new elections in Israel have also increased among Democrats. Representatives from organizations in Dearborn argue that such sentiments represent a minority in the community. However, experts like Steven Stalinsky believe that there is a significant portion of the population in Dearborn with anti-Israel and anti-American views.
The rhetoric coming out of Dearborn has raised concerns among lawmakers and experts, with some pointing to ties between certain individuals and extremist organizations like Hezbollah, Hamas, and Iran. Green noted that there is a political divide on the issue of Israel within the Michigan legislature, with Republicans unified in their support for Israel while Democrats are split on the issue. Stalinsky highlighted how organizations in Dearborn and on college campuses have long propagated anti-Israel and antisemitic messages, which have now been combined with progressive narratives to create anti-American and anti-Israel sentiment.
Stalinksy warned that these messages are influencing young Americans, especially through online platforms, and could pose a danger in the future. Organizations sympathetic to progressive causes in the U.S. have mingled with groups expressing anti-Israel sentiments, creating a cross-pollination of messages that target young and impressionable individuals. As tensions continue to rise over the Israel-Gaza conflict and U.S. policy towards the region, it is important to address the underlying issues that are fueling these protests and sentiments. Efforts to bridge divides within communities and promote understanding and dialogue are crucial in addressing these complex and nuanced challenges.
