Sameem Ahmadzai is a student at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn), pursuing a bachelor’s degree in urban studies and philosophy with an expected graduation in 2025. Ahmadzai is actively involved in pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel movements on campus, particularly through the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. His activism became especially prominent during Israel’s war against Hamas in late 2023 and early 2024, following the Hamas terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023.
Celebrating Hamas Terrorism
On October 8, 2023, one day after Hamas’s brutal attacks on Israeli civilians, Ahmadzai attended the “Emergency Solidarity Rally” at the University of Pennsylvania. The rally featured chants and speeches praising terrorist organization Hamas and calling for further violence against Israel. Hamas’s October 7 attack, which left over 1,200 Israelis dead and hundreds more kidnapped, was celebrated at the event, marking a highly controversial moment in Ahmadzai’s activism.
Spreading Hatred of Jews
In May 2024, Ahmadzai participated in “The People’s University Graduation,” an alternative graduation ceremony held at Penn. During the event, Ahmadzai presented an award to a fellow student for being “most likely to shot put a Zionist,” which was met with applause from the audience. This remark, along with his use of the term “Zionist,” reflects his open opposition to Jews, Israel and its supporters. Ahmadzai has consistently spread rhetoric against Zionism, the belief that Jews have a right to self-determination in their historical homeland, Israel.
