Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), a prominent anti-Israel advocacy group with chapters on U.S. college campuses, has intensified its rhetoric in response to the killing of journalist Saleh Al-Jafarawi. The incident occurred during a volatile confrontation between Hamas and the Doghmush clan, a Palestinian faction opposing Hamas’s leadership. In a Sunday Instagram post, SJP highlighted Al-Jafarawi’s death, branding it as a ‘martyrdom’ against ‘Zionism’ and the ‘Israeli Occupation Forces’ (IOF), while simultaneously calling for ‘death to all collaborators’ in Gaza. This latest statement aligns with SJP’s broader condemnation of Israeli influence in Palestinian politics and its longstanding support for anti-Zionist resistance movements.
The call for violence follows a surge in public executions and violent clashes in Gaza, as Hamas seeks to consolidate its control over the territories. The truce between Hamas and Israel, which was announced after two years of conflict, has not quelled the internal power struggles within the group. Reports of Hamas executing its political rivals have sparked concern among international observers, particularly as the Israeli military has acknowledged these actions as an effort to instill fear and assert dominance over civilian populations. Videos circulating on social media reportedly depict these executions, which an Israeli official described as a calculated attempt by Hamas to ‘reestablish its rule through terror.’
SJP has been a vocal presence on American university campuses, organizing protests and advocating for anti-Zionist sentiments since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. Its recent Instagram post underscores the group’s commitment to framing the conflict as a struggle against ‘Zionist collaborators’ rather than a territorial dispute. This rhetoric has drawn criticism from some academic institutions and has led to calls for greater scrutiny of the group’s activities. The incident involving Al-Jafarawi highlights the complex dynamics at play within Palestinian society, where competing factions are vying for influence in a volatile region. SJP’s continued emphasis on violence as a means of resistance reflects broader tensions between different factions within the Palestinian political landscape.
In a separate development, a Democratic socialist group backing political figure Mandani has also condemned the Gaza ceasefire, urging for more anti-Israel resistance. This further illustrates the fragmentation of Palestinian political discourse and the influence of external actors in shaping narratives around the conflict. While SJP’s rhetoric remains focused on the Israeli government, the broader context of Hamas’s internal power struggles and the implications of its violent tactics continue to dominate international discussions about the Middle East.