In the midst of Israel’s ongoing conflict with Gaza, supporters of Palestine worldwide are encountering an escalating wave of consequences, from harassment and threats to termination from employment.
Notable instances of dismissals include journalist Zahraa Al-Akhrass, ousted from Canadian television news outlet Global News for expressing pro-Palestinian views on social media.
In Germany, Kasem Raad, a 20-year-old apprentice, faced termination from Welt TV after questioning the company’s internal policies favoring Israel.
The United Kingdom witnessed political figures, such as Conservative MP Paul Bristow, losing government roles for advocating a permanent cease-fire in Gaza.
In the United States, a strong supporter of Israel’s actions, expressing pro-Palestine opinions is proving costly, particularly for Muslims and Arab Americans. Job losses and threats to academic futures are prevalent, with universities cracking down on student activism.
Farah Afify, the research and advocacy coordinator at the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), reported a significant surge in anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian discrimination.
Between October 7 and December 2, CAIR documented over 2,100 cases, a 172% increase from the previous year.
The complaints range from repercussions for pro-Palestinian social media posts to support for Palestinian human rights, including bullying and harassment in schools and on college campuses.
Afify emphasized the targeting of employees identifying as Muslim, Arab, or Palestinian, citing instances of death threats and workplace discrimination.
The CAIR report revealed a double standard, where pro-Palestinian advocates face consequences, while those expressing anti-Palestinian sentiments often go unpunished.
The current situation for Muslims, Arabs, and Palestinians in the U.S. is described as one of “absolute fear.”
Afify highlighted the need for awareness among employees about their legal rights and provided practical resources for safely expressing support for Palestinian human rights on social media.
CAIR is actively engaged in issuing guidance to employers, advocating for the legal rights of employees, and encouraging supportive environments for Muslims, Arabs, and Palestinians in the workplace.
According to Afify, addressing these issues requires an end to the violence in Gaza.
