George Soros slammed as report says anti-Israel protests nationwide have left-wing billionaire's backing

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: In recent weeks, a wave of protests and encampments organized by progressive anti-Israel groups has sparked controversy across university campuses in the United States.

Particularly notable is the mobilization at Columbia University in New York City, where tensions have escalated over the involvement of organizations associated with far-left ideologies and alleged ties to dark money, including funding from liberal mega-donor George Soros.

National Students for Justice in Palestine (NSJP) and its affiliations

At the forefront of these demonstrations is the National Students for Justice in Palestine (NSJP), a national organization with affiliations to around 200 independent chapters.

NSJP's vocal presence at Columbia University, along with its demands to school administrators, has drawn attention to its ties to the Westchester Peace Action Committee Foundation (WESPAC), a fiscal sponsor that has reportedly received significant funding from a nonprofit linked to the George Soros network.

According to NGO Monitor, WESPAC has a history of espousing anti-Israel rhetoric, including accusations of "apartheid," "ethnic cleansing," and "war crimes" against the Israeli government.

NSJP itself has been criticized for drawing parallels between Israel's treatment of Palestinians and historical atrocities such as Nazi Germany and the Jim Crow era, as well as for promoting Hamas propaganda.

StandWithUs CEO Roz Rothstein expressed concern over NSJP's tactics, citing "violent, genocidal rally calls" and the suspension of the group by Rutgers University for anti-Israel provocations.

"Since October 7th, SJP has been extremely aggressive on far too many campuses in threatening ways, including the use of violent, genocidal rally calls which include 'from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,' 'Globalize the Intifada,' and 'there is only one solution, Intifada revolution,'" Rothstein told Fox News.

"It is therefore no surprise that increasing numbers of universities are making the decision to suspend a student group that combines violent rhetoric with violations of university policies, threatening Jewish students on campus," he added.

NSJP's response to the recent Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, which it hailed as a "historic win for the Palestinian resistance," further fueled criticism of its radical stance. "This is what it means to Free Palestine: not just slogans and rallies, but armed confrontation with the oppressors," the group declared.

The founder of NSJP, Hatem Bazian, has also come under scrutiny for his controversial statements and associations. Bazian's history includes calls for an "intifada" in the United States, defense of Hamas on social media, and support for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel.

A video circulating on social media purportedly shows Bazian seemingly celebrating the October 7 attack on the campus of UC Berkeley.

Bazian's ties to politicians such as Reps Summer Lee, Barbara Lee, and Ilhan Omar, as well as his association with Rep Rashida Tlaib, have raised further questions about the influence of progressive anti-Israel groups within political circles.

Involvement of Soros-linked groups

Meanwhile, Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), another group active at Columbia University, has also faced scrutiny for its financial backing. Reports indicate that JVP has received substantial funding from Soros-linked groups and the Rockefeller Fund.

JVP, which opposes US assistance to Israel and supports Palestinian rights, has condemned violence while blaming the university for failing to protect Palestinian students.

According to Influence Watch, the group is "a left-wing, nominally Jewish group that opposes U.S. assistance to the state of Israel and supports allowing Palestinians to live on land within Israel vacated by Arabs during the Israeli War of Independence."

Fox News reported instances of Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) being active at the University of Michigan, distributing pamphlets at a tent encampment that contained provocative phrases such as "Death to America."

Additionally, the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights, another group backed by George Soros, allegedly compensates individuals it terms as "fellows" to coordinate and participate in anti-Israel protests nationwide, as detailed by the New York Post.

In response, a spokesperson for George Soros' Open Society Foundations stressed the organization's commitment to peaceful resolution and the right to protest, denying any support for violence or hate.

"The Open Society Foundations has a long history of fighting antisemitism, Islamophobia, and all forms of racism and hate," they said in a statement to Fox News. "Open Society has funded a broad spectrum of US groups that have advocated for the rights of Palestinians and Israelis and for peaceful resolution to the conflict in Israel and the OPT."

"This funding is a matter of public record, disclosed on our website, fully compliant with US laws, and is part of our commitment to continuing open debate that is ultimately the only hope for peace in the region. The Open Society Foundations proudly support the right of all citizens to peaceful protest — a bedrock principle of our democracy," the statement added.

Social media reactions

However, the apparent involvement of Soros-backed groups in organizing and funding anti-Israel protests has drawn fierce criticism against the liberal billionaire on social media.

"What is wrong with him? Such hate!" one posted on X.

"He is pure evil. Sad people trying to associate him with Judaism. He is everything Judaism is NOT," another wrote.

"He needs to be arrested for financing civil unrest in this country, I mean, this guy crashed the bank of [England] "Black Wednesday" he purposely likes to destroy institutions," someone else alleged.

"Same funding from the same guy, the same bunch of radicals being bought & paid for, different day, different cause," another insisted.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.