Susan Abulhawa, a Kuwaiti author and activist, has consistently used her platform to propagate extreme rhetoric, glorify acts of terrorism, and incite violence. Far from being a humanitarian, her actions and statements reveal a dangerous pattern of extremism that threatens the safety and unity of any academic or public space she occupies.
Support for Terrorism and Justification of Violence
On October 8, 2023, a day after Hamas committed heinous acts of terrorism that left over 1,200 people dead and countless others injured, Abulhawa led a rally in Philadelphia. Waving a Palestinian flag, she chanted: “Long live the intifada! Intifada! Intifada!”
Her words, celebrating violent uprisings and terror attacks, glorified the atrocities committed by Hamas, including the mass murder, rape, and kidnapping of civilians.
In her writings, she described the October 7th massacre as: “A stunning display of low-tech guerilla warfare” and hailed the perpetrators as “freedom fighters.”
Abulhawa openly praises terrorist organizations and individuals responsible for heinous acts:
- Hamas: She called for Hamas rockets to target Israeli homes and described them as “freedom fighters.” She mourned the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar on October 17, 2024, praising him as a martyr.
- Hezbollah: Following the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on October 1, 2024, she wrote on social media: “May God have mercy on your soul, martyr, beloved of God.”
- Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP): She expressed admiration for operatives like Ghassan Kanafani and Khalida Jarrar, involved in deadly attacks.
- Leila Khaled: She glorified Khaled, a terrorist involved in airplane hijackings, calling her a hero.
- Khaled Barakat and Charlotte Kates: She participated in a podcast with PFLP member Khaled Barakat in September 2020, and is friends with Barakat’s wife Charlotte Kates, the International Coordinator of the PFLP-affiliated Samidoun organization, which was designated as a terrorist organization by the USA and Canada in 2024.
Additionally, on December 9, 2024, Abulhawa posted on X : “Ballads for Luigi. Musicians do your thing.” This post followed the arrest of Luigi Mangione for allegedly murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO, Brian Thompson, reportedly motivated by radical anti-capitalism. Her support for this incident further underscores her radical and violent ideology.
Spreading Antisemitic Rhetoric and Conspiracy Theories
Abulhawa has a documented history of antisemitic statements that perpetuate dangerous stereotypes and conspiracies. For example:
- On December 8, 2024, she appeared on a Russian TV show, ranting about U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s alleged disloyalty to the American people due to his Judaism. She repeated antisemitic stereotypes about Jewish control of politics, media, and Hollywood.
- She equates Zionism with Nazism, trivializing the Holocaust with statements like:
- “Zionism is the contemporary face of Nazism and white supremacy” (February 19, 2023).
- “Israel is a Nazi state” (May 14, 2021).
Abulhawa also denies well-documented Jewish historical and religious ties to Jerusalem, claiming: “There is literally zero forensic/archeological evidence the Temple [Mount] ever existed on that site” (July 18, 2021).
Such statements are not only factually incorrect but also fuel historical revisionism and denial.
Contempt for the West and Hostile Remarks
On January 14, 2025, Abulhawa posted a vitriolic rant on X, stating: “Dear western journalists and writers who put yourself at the center of the world…I don’t write to ‘humanize’ anyone. I actually detest that word. My most important readership are Palestinians and other Arabs, especially younger generations. You are a byproduct…I don’t care about you. Your ‘enlightenment’ is your own responsibility and ‘burden.’”
This statement reflects her contempt for Western audiences and her divisive worldview.
Participation in Hostile Campus Events
Abulhawa’s role in events like the Palestine Writes festival, hosted at Penn, has drawn sharp criticism. Featuring notorious antisemites such as Roger Waters and Marc Lamont Hill, as well as Penn professor Huda Fakhreddine, the festival created an environment hostile to Jewish students. During her opening remarks, she dismissed Jewish students’ concerns about safety, further exacerbating tensions on campus.
Dangerous Influence on Campus
Abulhawa’s rhetoric and actions pose a direct threat to academic spaces. As an active voice in protests and rallies, she incites division and promotes propaganda that radicalizes students. Her presence undermines the values of education, inclusivity, and critical thinking.
Susan Abulhawa’s public record is a testament to her role in perpetuating hate and extremism. Her glorification of violence, dissemination of antisemitic rhetoric, and denial of historical truths make her a dangerous influence. Allowing her to shape young minds poses a direct threat to the safety and integrity of academic institutions