ABC 7: Chicago-area college protest organizers push back against accusations of antisemitism

CHICAGO (WLS) - As pro-Palestinian protests continue at campuses across the country, some Chicago-area organizers are pushing back on antisemitism accusations.

“This encampment is the time at Northwestern where I have felt most connected to and supported in my faith at Northwestern because it has given me the space to be both Jewish and anti-Zionist," said Paz, a Northwestern pro-Palestinian encampment organizer.

Only going by their first names, Paz, a Jewish Northwestern student, and Lucas, a Palestinian and Jewish Northwestern student, said they are some of those who organized the tent encampment at Northwestern University's Deering Meadow.

"I'd also like to strongly refute that there was any antisemitism at the Northwestern encampment," Lucas said.

They, along with the Council on American Islamic Relations Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab, said these protests are anything but antisemitic. He said they are quintessentially American.

“They have stood to their principals of non-violence and peace using their voice, as Americans should, their free voice in a free assembly to speak out against what is happening," Rehab said.