The second annual People’s Conference for Palestine, held in Detroit from 29–31 August, drew criticism for giving a platform to extremist voices who praised terrorists, called for violence, and employed openly antisemitic rhetoric. The event, which was attended by U.S. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, streamer Hassan Piker, Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein, and a range of anti-Israel activists, was billed as a solidarity gathering with Gaza but frequently slipped into pro-terrorist glorification and anti-American incitement, reports The Jerusalem Post.
Although organisers presented the event as a campaign against a supposed “genocide” in Gaza, panel discussions and speeches often went much further. Speakers repeatedly praised terrorist leaders, endorsed insurrection, and vilified Israel and its supporters as legitimate targets.
Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez openly declared, “If Palestine were a schoolyard playground, I would be a Palestinian. And that part of me… would be Hamas.”
Ex-DFLP official Omar Assaf called the Palestinian Authority an obstacle and demanded confrontation with Israel. Another panellist, Fadi Quran, called for a “Palestinian revolt, insurrection.” Emcee Taher Dahleh framed the war in Gaza as “the last inch of life being levelled” and demanded arms embargoes and sanctions on Israel.
Several speakers engaged in Holocaust inversion, equating Israelis with Nazis. BDS rhetoric and demands for total cultural, academic, and economic boycotts of Israel were woven throughout the conference, with activists boasting of “casting Zionism as genocidal” to undermine Jewish support.
Medical professionals used their platform to invoke terrorist leaders as “healers.” Dr. Maisa Morrar, of the Palestinian Feminist Collective, cited Hamas co-founder Abdel Aziz Rantisi and PFLP leader George Habash as examples of “movement leaders” who were doctors, blurring humanitarian work with terrorism. Another speaker, Nidal Jboor of “Doctors Against Genocide,” urged activists to “neutralise” supposed Israeli “child murderers,” a chilling call for violence against Jews worldwide.
The conference also featured hostility toward the U.S., with multiple speakers denouncing America as “the head of the snake” and a “fascist and sadistic country.” Sachin Peddada of Progressive International paraphrased terrorist Bassel al-Araj and insisted activists must “destroy the idea of America.” Plastic surgeon Ghassan Abu-Sittah urged destabilisation of the West, claiming “Israel is plugged into every facet of every institution that represents Western power.”
The inclusion of individuals with direct terrorist ties further alarmed observers. The programme had advertised the participation of Hussam Shaheen, an Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade officer released in 2024 in a hostage deal with Hamas. Though it is unclear if he ultimately spoke, the very invitation underscored the event’s extremist associations.
Jewish organisations have condemned the conference as another example of mainstream figures — including sitting U.S. officials — appearing alongside groups and individuals who openly legitimise antisemitic violence. By normalising the rhetoric of Hamas and its affiliates, critics warn, such events spread dangerous messages that not only target Israel but foster hostility towards Jews globally.
photo credit: REUTERS/LEAH MILLIS
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