Lawsuit Accuses U.S. Pro-Palestinian Groups of Foreknowledge of October 7 Attack

Families of hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7, 2023, attacks have filed a lawsuit against several pro-Palestinian groups, including Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and others, alleging they acted as 'propaganda arms' for Hamas and had prior knowledge of the attacks. The lawsuit points to a suspicious Instagram post by SJP made just three minutes before the attack as evidence of their foreknowledge. Plaintiffs, including former hostages and families of victims, argue that the organizations coordinated with Hamas to support its operations and incite violence against Jews in the U.S. They claim that these groups provided material support to Hamas through propaganda and organizing activities on campus. The case raises significant First Amendment issues as some defendants assert their actions are protected political speech, while the plaintiffs contend that their activities extended Hamas's terror to American soil. The lawsuit highlights a broader concern about the influence of such groups on U.S. campuses and their alleged connections to terrorism.