Student Group Calls for US Colleges to Plan Anti-Israel ‘Day of Resistance’ Praising Hamas Attacks

Students at colleges across the United States are being urged to join a "day of resistance" in support of Palestine later this week, with events reportedly planned in New York, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Arizona.

National Students for Justice in Palestine announced Monday that it planned to lead the day of action on Thursday, Oct. 12.

Reporter Gabby Deutch said that events were planned for New York University, the University of Arizona, Penn State, the University of Virginia and the University of Colorado in Boulder. It was unclear if other institutions could see events.

In a post on Instagram, the pro-Palestine organization said the Hamas attack on Israel caught "the enemy completely by surprise."

"This is what it means to Free Palestine: not just slogans and rallies, but armed confrontation with the oppressors," the post read. "As the Palestinian student movement, we have a responsibility to join the call for mass mobilization."

The National SJP said that meant all chapters of the organization, including student organizations, were called to take part in the event Thursday.

In a toolkit shared online, the group said it would be "wielding the political power" it held on campuses to work to dismantle Zionism. Groups were encouraged to join a meeting Monday night for ideas on how events might look.

Students were encouraged to print flyers to post around campus, host "teach-ins" to share the viewpoints of Palestinians and write local statements of solidarity.

The toolkit goes on to explain that the National SJP believes that Palestine is occupied and that therefore "resistance is justified."

All of this comes after Hamas fighters carried out attacks on Israel beginning Saturday. At least 1,350 people have died on both sides since the conflict began, with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowing to defeat Hamas.

The Messenger approached the colleges named for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.