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‘Those not willing to … escalate actions’ are called ‘klansmen, crackers’ and ‘pussy-ass bitches’

Following a sharp decrease in attendance at a recent pro-Hamas encampment, Swarthmore College student activists are expressing frustration with the leadership of the campus Students for Justice in Palestine.

The Swarthmore encampment in 2024 was attended by over 100 people; the recent one in late-April/early May featured but two dozen, according to the student paper The Phoenix.

Although SJP attributed the drop in numbers to “increased disciplinary action” by the school, various activists pinned the blame on an “increasingly insular, toxic, and ineffective” SJP leadership.

Pro-Palestinian activists who spoke with The Phoenix noted they still believe there’s a “genocide” occurring in Gaza and want divestment from Israel; however, they say SJP leaders have “little interest in convincing or even talking with those on the fence or opposed to their goals.”

One activist named “Adam” said SJP “ridiculed or ignored […] otherwise sympathetic students with genuine questions.”

“In group chats, conversations, and social media posts, everyone who does not participate in SJP actions is called a coward or a Zionist,” Adam said. “[I]nstead of leveraging or building on this support, SJP purity tests and raises the bar for engagement.”

Swarthmore SJP and Jewish Voice for Peace member “Beth” said she believes SJP doesn’t “have enough appreciation for the way Zionism is a cultural norm […] because if you understand that, then you ought to be more willing to try and reach out to people.”

MORE: Swarthmore College anti-Israel protesters complain about ‘bullhorn’ assault charges

“Charles,” who took part in Swarthmore anti-Israel protests in 2023 and 2024, said SJP tries to make “the proximity of their own experiences and those of Palestinians in Gaza as close as possible, in order to justify aggressive, militant action.”

He added “those not willing to participate in these escalated actions” are belittled as “pigs, piggies, klansmen, crackers, Zionists” or “pussy-ass bitches.”

From the story:

SJP responded to a question about its willingness to engage with students with mixed feelings, writing that “SJP is committed to political education.” SJP also wrote that “The issues being addressed by this national movement are not ‘Palestinian issues’ but rather Zionism, the largest moral crisis of our lifetime.” …

When asked about allegations that it was tactically ineffective, SJP wrote that “The tactics that SJP has used are based in historical analysis of the anti-apartheid movement that Swarthmore once criminalized and now celebrates,” and argued that “our encampment must be placed within a broader national context.”

SJP also emphasized that leverage and pressure – not necessarily broad support – has been its goal. Additionally the organization argued that effective action necessitated risk.

“We have seen that popular support does not equal power or leverage. Thus, our goal is to not only strengthen political consciousness around Palestine on campus, but to also build our power and leverage in order to pressure the institution of Swarthmore College to divest from genocide.

At the most recent pro-Hamas demonstration at Swarthmore, nine individuals were arrested and charged with trespassing. The SJP accused police on the scene of “brutalizing” encampment attendees.

MORE: Swarthmore’s Phoenix promises to defend campus community from Trump ‘threats’

IMAGE CAPTION & CREDIT: A young student expresses his disapproval; Thiti Sukapan/Shutterstock.com

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