NEW YORK — Brooke Goldstein, founder and executive director of the Lawfare Project, used a recent appearance on Newsmax’s Israel Now to warn that the slogan “Free Palestine” has been hijacked by extremist actors and is being used to justify violence and the indoctrination of youth. Goldstein said the chant is “not for democracy” but rather a vehicle to bolster “radical Islamist terrorists,” and urged legal, campus, and public responses to counter the trend.
Goldstein pointed to a spate of violent incidents in the United States and elsewhere to illustrate her argument. Authorities have charged a man accused of yelling “Free Palestine” before throwing Molotov cocktails at demonstrators in Boulder, Colorado; prosecutors announced multiple counts, including attempted murder, in that case. The attack came amid a broader rise in antisemitic incidents, officials say.
Federal and local authorities have also prosecuted other violent acts tied to pro-Palestinian violence. A California man described in court filings as motivated by support for Hamas pleaded guilty to setting fires and attempting to use explosives in attacks on university property and federal buildings. Judges and prosecutors have characterized such offenses as politically motivated and dangerous to public safety.
Goldstein further alleged that foreign funding has played a role in shaping campus activism. Analysts and watchdog groups have documented growing Qatari financial ties to educational institutions and nongovernmental organizations, and some U.S. commentators and researchers have suggested that these flows can influence programming and student activity. Critics have singled out large donations to university programs and charities as a channel that can be exploited to promote a political agenda.
The Lawfare Project, which describes itself as a legal defender of Jewish civil rights worldwide, has pursued litigation and complaints against institutions it says have failed to protect Jewish students from harassment and discrimination. In recent months, the organization announced settlements and new filings involving universities and other institutions, asserting that legal pressure can force campuses and employers to address antisemitic conduct.
Goldstein and the Lawfare Project argue that legal and public pressure is necessary because, they say, a subset of activists and extremist actors have adopted the “Free Palestine” banner to legitimize violence, intimidation, and harassment. They contend that litigation, enforcement of existing hate-crime statutes, and stronger institutional policies are needed to protect Jewish students and communities while preserving lawful protest.
Observers say distinguishing protected political speech from threats and criminal conduct will remain a central challenge for law enforcement, universities, and courts. Some analysts emphasize the need for transparent investigations and consistent application of anti-discrimination rules. Others stress the importance of countering extremism through education and community engagement rather than only through litigation.
The debate over the meaning and use of slogans like “Free Palestine” reflects deeper fault lines in public discourse about the Israel-Hamas war, academic freedom, foreign influence, and public safety. Goldstein’s appearance on Newsmax crystallized one side of that debate: legal and communal actors advocating pro-Israel positions who view the slogan as increasingly corrosive and dangerous.
This article is based on verified information from Newsmax, the Associated Press, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Lawfare Project, the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, and related reporting.