In cities nationwide, streets have been blocked, trains halted, and sections of college campuses shut down as hundreds of thousands take to the streets in protest.
Their grievances stem from Israel’s military intervention in Gaza following a terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7. Protesters cite the significant loss of Palestinian lives, with over 30,000 reported casualties, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
Concurrently, pro-Israel organizations are urging Congress and law enforcement to investigate potential foreign funding of the protests and any alleged ties between protest leaders and terrorist groups like Hamas.
NBC News conducted a thorough investigation, examining tax filings, social media activity of prominent protest organizers, legal documents, government reports, and legislative hearings related to the pro-Palestinian movement in the United States.
Despite accusations from some quarters, there is no concrete evidence linking Hamas or foreign governments to the financing of American protests.
What has been uncovered is a sprawling network involving American philanthropies with left-leaning ideologies, along with collaborations with organizations banned by Germany and Israel for suspected ties to terrorist groups.
The movement appears grassroots, relying heavily on social media platforms such as Telegram, X, WhatsApp, and Instagram for coordination.
One known figure in the movement is Nerdeen Kiswani, a 29-year-old law school graduate and founder of Within Our Lifetime, a group dedicated to raising awareness for the Palestinian cause.
Kiswani, a Palestinian American activist from Brooklyn, New York, has mobilized thousands through social media to disrupt daily life in protest of perceived injustices against Palestinians.
“I stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people and believe in their right to resist,” Kiswani stated. “Those unhappy with our actions can address their grievances to the U.S. administration and elected officials responsible for funding overseas conflicts with our tax dollars.”
