Noora Lahoud, a Boston University Students for Justice in Palestine member, stirs controversy by tearing down posters about kidnapped Israelis.

Who is Noora Lahoud?

Noora Lahoud, a member of the Students for Justice in Palestine, garnered notoriety recently at Boston University for her actions involving posters increasing awareness of Israeli civilians kidnapped by Hamas. This episode has shed light on her past as well as  beliefs, sparking discussion.

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Lahoud’s act of pulling down posters took place in the midst of Hamas’s kidnapping of Israeli civilians during a series of terror assaults and war crimes in October 2023. Over 1,400 Israelis were killed, hundreds were kidnapped, and others were injured as a result of the kidnappings. The posters were created to bring attention to these unfortunate incidents.

When approached by someone recording her actions and asked about her reasons, Lahoud said, “You’re spreading propaganda, fake news.”

Notably, in April 2023, Lahoud was reportedly the creative director of a branch of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), a student group affiliated with pro-Hamas sentiments, at Boston University.

Furthermore, her previous statements have garnered attention.  In a 2023 essay published in the BU student newspaper, Lahoud declared support for “the Intifada” and the phrase “long live the Intifada.” She defended colonial vengeance and questioned why it would be called racist.

The term “intifada” possesses violent connotations because it has been associated with several violent crimes in the context of Palestinian uprisings against Israel, such as hijackings, shootings, stabbings, bombings, and suicide missions.

Lahoud was allegedly an active member of BU SJP in October 2023, stressing her commitment in the student organization.

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Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) is well-known on North American college and university campuses for its anti-Israel activities. Since its inception in 2001, it has been involved in anti-Israel behaviors, including support for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, and has been accused of intimidating and harassing Jewish students.

Noora Lahoud’s actions and affiliations have fueled discussions about freedom of expression, campus activism, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.