As delegates arrive in Chicago for the Democratic National Convention (DNC) starting Monday, they will be met by anti-Israel demonstrators seeking to interrupt the proceedings and dominate the conversation. The demonstrations are not a spontaneous expression of democracy but a well-orchestrated hate march led by NGOs with shady funding.
A coalition of nearly one hundred organizations is planning what they are calling the March on the DNC, which will focus on vilifying Israel, accusing it of genocide and war crimes in Gaza, and trying to undermine U.S. government support for the only democracy in the Middle East. Amid an explosive rise in antisemitism and attacks on American Jews and Jewish communities since Hamas’ brutal Oct. 7 assault, this march, too, will likely be filled with hate, lies, and carry a high potential for violence.
Participating in this march are many NGOs with deep ties to extremist programs, and some with links to known terrorist networks. These NGOs have received millions of dollars in funding, yet generally lack financial transparency and push an agenda that is actively contributing to antisemitism and hate in the United States. Their actions have serious implications for Jewish-American communities and pose a significant threat to American society and national security.
Jason Fields
Samidoun, a key member of this coalition, is a prime example. It is an arm of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a designated terrorist organization in the U.S., and has been banned by Germany, France, and Israel. Samidoun actively advocates for “armed resistance” against Israel, and has publicly praised the Oct. 7 attacks, essentially glorifying unspeakable atrocities that triggered nearly a year of war. Samidoun has been a leader of antisemitic and pro-terror activity across North America, including on campuses, since Oct 7. Their activities have included distribution of propaganda that celebrates violence against Jews and Israelis, and they have been linked to instances of harassment and intimidation directed at Jewish students. Such open support for violence is not only dangerous—it is a direct threat to peace and security globally.
Another troubling example of participating organizations is Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP). On Oct. 12, 2023, only days after the burning, raping, mutilation, kidnapping and killing of Jews in southern Israel, SJP claimed, “This is what it means to Free Palestine: not just slogans and rallies, but armed confrontation with the oppressors.” Subsequently, SJP chapters at Brandeis, Columbia, George Washington, and Rutgers were suspended for promoting intimidation and violence against Jews. SJP’s actions on other campuses across the country have led to an environment of fear and hostility for Jewish students, further fueling divisions and hatred in academic spaces. In many instances, SJP’s actions have also infringed upon freedom of speech and movement for Jewish students, silencing their voices and marginalizing them within their own academic communities.
Jewish Voices for Peace (JVP) and CODEPINK also play significant roles. Both groups amplify harmful antisemitic tropes, masking their bigotry under the guise of political activism. JVP, for instance, refers to itself as the “Jewish wing” of the Palestinian solidarity movement and exploits its “Jewish” identity as a shield against criticism. CODEPINK, meanwhile, has engaged in campaigns that depict Israel and its supporters in deeply negative, dehumanizing ways, further contributing to the spread of antisemitism. In the aftermath of the brutal Hamas massacre in October 2023, CODEPINK referred to the “resistance of Palestinians,” highlighting their alignment with extremist ideologies and their complicity in spreading hate and division.
Despite the documented cases of antisemitic incidents, these NGOs continue to receive significant funding. However, their financial operations lack transparency and raise serious concerns about the potential misuse of funds, and sources of funding—particularly in light of rising fears that hostile nations like Russia and Iran could be using these channels to interfere in U.S. politics.
In fact, the director of national intelligence in the Biden administration, Avril Haines, recently said, “We have observed actors tied to Iran’s government posing as activists online, seeking to encourage protests, and even providing financial support to protesters.” This raises serious alarms about the potential for such funds to be used to influence domestic issues and U.S. elections, supporting people and policies that promote extremism and violence rather than legitimate advocacy efforts. This lack of transparency is not just an ethical concern—it poses a real danger as it obscures the true intentions and actions of these groups.
By aligning with and supporting organizations that glorify violence, this coalition is actively fueling the cycle of hatred and conflict in the Middle East. Their actions undermine any genuine efforts toward peace and stability, making it harder to achieve lasting solutions to the region’s challenges. Instead of fostering understanding and cooperation, these groups are driving a wedge between communities, both internationally and here at home.
Policymakers, donors, and the public must recognize the dangerous implications of backing and working with groups that sympathize with and contribute to violence and hatred, especially in the context of an unparalleled rise in antisemitism in the U.S. This would be an appropriate time for leaders and members of the Democratic Party to distance themselves from these views and the planned protests. This is imperative if the party and its supporters want to demonstrate a commitment to fighting antisemitism and extremism.
It is also crucial to withdraw support from these NGOs, as they are not champions of peace, dialogue, and mutual understanding.
Naftali Balanson is COO of NGO Monitor (www.ngo-monitor.org), a Jerusalem-based research institute.
The views expressed in this article are the writer’s own.
