Jerusalem’s Deputy Mayor Fleur Hassan-Nahoum visited New York City this week, bringing with her a critical message for American colleges and their response to recent anti-Israel protests.
In an interview with The Post, Hassan-Nahoum expressed concern over what she perceives as indoctrination and lack of critical thinking in universities, particularly in the context of heated anti-Israel protests erupting across US college campuses.
These protests have gained momentum following a major conflict on October 7, in which Hamas terrorists launched an attack, killing 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians.
This incident prompted Israel to retaliate in defense. The rallies on campuses have been marked by intense antisemitic sentiments, including messages projected on buildings and chants calling for the liberation of Palestine.
Hassan-Nahoum criticized the demonstrations, describing them as a form of gaslighting that attempts to shift blame onto Jewish people. She highlighted the contradiction in the social justice narrative that seemingly excludes Jewish and Israeli issues from its ambit.
According to her, this results in a cognitive dissonance where Israelis are not seen as victims or humans, thus justifying attacks against them.
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Post-9/11 Recovery in NYC and Israeli-Palestinian Reflections
During her visit, aimed at learning from New York City’s post-9/11 recovery, Hassan-Nahoum observed a stark contrast between the attitudes in Western liberal circles and those in Arab countries that have recently made peace with Israel.
She noted that while there have been no pro-Palestinian marches in these Arab countries, Western “liberal justice warriors” have been active in protesting against Israel.
Addressing students who support Hamas, Hassan-Nahoum pointed out the inconsistency in backing a group that suppresses women and LGBTQIA rights, urging them to reconsider their binary views of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
She expressed dismay at a recent poll indicating nearly equal support among US college students for Hamas and the Israeli government, questioning the level of understanding and awareness among these students.
Hassan-Nahoum’s visit also included spending time at Caffe Aronne in the Upper East Side. This Jewish-owned establishment serves as a community space for Jewish New Yorkers and Israelis.
Her trip was not only about addressing current issues but also about learning from New York City’s resilience and healing process after the 9/11 terror attacks, drawing parallels with Israel’s challenges in dealing with terrorism.
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