The past two months have shown that there are far too many Americans who have never learned how to deal with bullies. Since the war between Israel and Hamas launched on October 7, anti-Israel activists have been throwing their weight around while demonstrating in favor of the Palestinians and even Hamas.
There have been multiple incidents in which activists have taken an aggressive and intimidating form against those who might oppose their stance on the overall conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. In some cases, these people have even used violence and threats to get their points across.
If nobody stands up to these people, then, like all bullies, they will only become worse.
For starters, we have the cancellation of the Menorah lighting in Virginia, a disappointing capitulation to the antisemitic left. The planned event was a cultural celebration, not a political statement. Nevertheless, the pro-Hamas lobby managed to bully the festival’s leadership into acquiescing.
A menorah lighting was scheduled for the 2nd Sunday's Art and Music Festival on Dec. 10 in Virginia, but it was canceled by the organizers. Shirley Vermillion, the festival’s founder said, “The concern is of folks feeling like we are siding with a group over the other … not a direction we ever decide to head.”
Wait, what? They canceled a menorah lighting so as not to side with one group or the other? What does a menorah lighting have to do with the war? And when you cancel it, you are choosing to "side" with a group -- and it's a despicable choice.
But turns out it was even worse than that, according to a statement from the United Jewish Community of the Virginia Peninsula skewering the festival's actions. The statement said the lighting had nothing to do with Israel or the conflict.
Yet, appallingly, the event organizer claimed that a Chanukah celebration would send a message that the festival was "supporting the killing/bombing of thousands of men, women, and children," -- and even went a step further, by offering to reinstate the event if it was done under a banner calling for a ceasefire.
Another incident took place in Los Angeles, California, where pro-Hamas activists staged a march and protest on Black Friday to disrupt those trying to go shopping. The activists targeted specific locations like The Grove shopping center and Fairfax District in an effort to stop people from going about their business as they protested against Israel. Some of these individuals even showed up at the home of the president of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), wielding smoke bombs and spreading fake blood as part of the demonstration.
Hundreds gathered in the Fairfax District of Los Angeles, marching through city streets and converging on The Grove shopping center as part of a nationwide effort to call for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war and advocating for a cessation of U.S. aid to the Jewish State.
A large group of pro-Palestine protesters moved through The Grove shopping center just before noon on Black Friday, carrying a giant banner that read "No Business as Usual."
Organizers of the Shut it Down for Palestine effort say the message behind the march is to "Make it clear that there will be no business as usual until Palestine is free," according to the ANSWER Coalition.
The group issued the international call to action to boycott, disrupt and rally at commercial centers on Black Friday, Nov. 24.
"We must keep building momentum and increase the pressure with more marches, walk-outs, sit-ins and other forms of direct action directed at the political offices, businesses and workplaces that fund, invest, and collaborate with Israeli genocide and occupation," wrote shutitdown4palestine on its website.
At the University of Pennsylvania, pro-Hamas protesters set off smoke bombs and marched on campus while chanting “Intifada revolution.” The demonstration created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, especially for Jewish students who were forced to hide out in the library.
On university campuses, in particular, Jewish students have reported having to conceal their identities out of fear of repercussions from the pro-Hamas mob.
It is abundantly clear that the groups participating in these protests do not exist to promote constructive dialogue or debate about the Middle East conflict. Their tactics involve bullying and intimidation aimed at silencing opposing views and compelling compliance with their agenda. This is especially true on college campuses.
Unfortunately, in far too many cases, the response to these ideological thugs has been to give in to their demands, just as Brown University’s president did while giving a speech on campus. This has only emboldened the anti-Israel bullies, and at this point, it is not beyond the realm of possibility that they will get even more violent because they believe nobody will stand up to them.
Most of us were taught how to handle bullies. They are cowards seeking easy prey. Once their target fights back, they run with their tails between their legs. This is how people who value free speech should deal with these people.
Of course, I am not suggesting that we should initiate violence. But refusing to cancel events or alter speeches despite their pressure will show them that they cannot simply force people to help them advance their agenda. If we fail to send a message to these people, the consequences could be more harmful than we think.
