In October 2023, Lizzy George-Griffin, a student at Columbia University, sent an email as the leader of a campus group in which they praised Hamas terrorist actions following the October 7, 2023, attacks. George-Griffin described Hamas’s mass murder and hostage-taking as a justified response to “Zionists’ cruelty,” minimizing the atrocities and accusing Israel of ongoing genocide. Critics argue that these statements endorse violence and glorify a terrorist organization responsible for war crimes and thousands of civilian deaths.
Anti-Semitic Comparisons and Rhetoric
George-Griffin’s email drew comparisons between Israel and Nazi Germany, a statement the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) defines as anti-Semitic. Additionally, they dismissed the Holocaust as “not special,” and accused “white Jewish people” of being perpetual oppressors of marginalized groups. These remarks were widely condemned as promoting hate speech and historical distortion.
Lizzy George-Griffin’s Controversy and Backlash
The email, which concluded with the phrases “F**K ISRAEL” and “STOP THE GENOCIDE! FREE PALESTINE,” sparked significant backlash. As a result, George-Griffin reportedly stepped down as president of LionLez, a Columbia University club they founded. Critics argue that their statements and actions have amplified division and anti-Semitism, particularly in the sensitive aftermath of Hamas’s October 2023 terror attacks.
George-Griffin’s activism extends beyond her controversial emails. She has been an organizer of demonstrations that featured inflammatory slogans and messaging deemed by opponents to be aligned with extremist ideologies. Her actions have raised significant concerns about the boundaries of free speech and the role of campus leaders in fostering inclusive environments.
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