Group affected by Hamas's October 7 attack sues members of pro-Palestine organizations

NEW YORK CITY (TNND) — A group of people who say they have been affected by Hamas’s attacks against Israel sued members of organizations that express support for Palestine on Monday.

Plaintiffs identified as Iris Weinstein Haggai, Ayelet Samerano, Talik Gvili, Roee Baruch and “James Poe” filed the lawsuit in a New York district court on behalf of other people said to have been impacted by the attacks. They sued people they said were members of Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD), Columbia-Barnard Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) and Within Our Lifetime – United for Palestine.

The plaintiffs, some of whom claim to have had relatives killed and kidnapped by Hamas, accused Mahmoud Khalil, the alleged member of Columbia SJP, CUAD, and Columbia-Barnard JVP; Cameron Jones, who the plaintiffs say is part of Columbia-Barnard JVP; Maryam Alwan, said to be a member of Columbia SJP; and Nerdeen Kiswani, allegedly part of Within our Lifetime – United for Palestine, of “aiding and abetting Hamas’ continuing acts of international terrorism” and violating “the law of nations.”

This action seeks to hold responsible those who operate critical allies of Hamas in the United States: New York-based organizations and individuals who, in coordination with Hamas and its affiliates, further Hamas’ continuing terror attacks and actions with insidious, pro-terror public relations operations, propaganda production and distribution, and unlawful acts,” the complaint reads.

The plaintiffs described the defendants as Hamas’s “propaganda arm” on the Columbia University campus and in New York City in general. The defendants allegedly assaulted and terrorized Jewish students; attacked Columbia University employees; and unlawfully took over and damaged property at the school.

“They act behind veiled scarves and largely seek to be anonymous individually, yet seek to intimidate as a group,” the complaint says. “This case will pull down those scarves and unveil acts that violate this country’s antiterrorism laws. This case will finally hold these admitted terrorists accountable for their actions.”

According to the plaintiffs, the defendants violated the Antiterrorism Act, a law that allows people to recover damages if they were injured by an act of international terrorism.

Some members of the groups expressing support for Palestine have claimed that Israel, rather than Hamas, is to blame for the war between the Jewish state and the terrorist organization. They at times point to oppressive actions by Israel, as well as what they call an apartheid system used by the state.

Israel, according to some of the pro-Palestine groups, brought the war upon itself. No attorneys for the defendants are listed on the website of the court in which the lawsuit was filed.

Have questions, concerns or tips? Send them to Ray at rjlewis@sbgtv.com.