Middle East activism refers to individuals and organizations that seek to influence policy and opinion regarding issues related to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Iran’s nuclear program, the civil wars in Syria and Libya, human rights, and Islamist extremism.
Below are some key issues for activists in the MENA category:
Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS)
MENA activism includes the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. Participants in this movement call for:
Proponents of BDS argue that they are non-violently pressuring Israel into accepting Palestinian rights and statehood. These groups see Israel as the primary antagonist in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian and Israeli-Arab conflicts.
There are also individuals and organizations that may not necessarily endorse BDS, but have opposed anti-BDS legislation on First Amendment grounds.
Opponents of BDS argue that the movement is inherently anti-Semitic and tied to terrorist and extremist organizations that seek the elimination of Israel. These groups view anti-Western terrorism and anti-Semitism as primarily responsible for the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian and Israeli-Arab conflicts.
Islamist Extremism
The hub also includes individuals and organizations credibly alleged to be linked to Islamist terrorists and/or extremists, or who have a record of promoting Islamist extremist beliefs such as theocratic governance, justifying acts of terrorism, anti-Semitism, anti-Americanism and advocating for human rights abuses such as mistreatment of women.
There are organizations that oppose Islamist extremism by documenting their activities and trying to influence policy towards Islamism and Islamism-associated groups in the West. There are also Muslim organizations who speak out against Islamism and advocate for modern interpretations of Islam that are compatible with Western values.
Organizations involved in Pro-Palestinian Protests in the United States
The hub also spotlights the organizations most involved in the United States—particularly on college campuses—protesting to support the Palestinian movement or supportive of “free Palestine.” These groups became significantly more active after October 7, 2023.
Individual Activists
Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement Supporters
Islamic Extremists
Militant Protest Organizers
Groups openly urging, planning, and carrying out violence that falls into the category of domestic terrorism
Activist Groups Escalating Protests
Activist organizations that work to escalate the severity of the protests, including creating toolkits for protesters, increasing property damage, resisting law enforcement, legal representation, etc.
Supporters
Groups providing financial support, fiscal sponsorships, direct assistance, moral and political support, etc.
Political Warfare
Groups engaged in political warfare and minimizing their public support for terrorism and criminality
Labor Unions Supporting Pro-Palestinian Activists
Many labor unions have openly supported Palestine—from calls to ceasefire, support of the BDS movement, participation in protests on colleges and elsewhere, and working in solidarity with Palestinian workers.