Georgetown pressured to cancel event with convicted member of PFLP terror group
An anti-Israel student group at Georgetown University’s law school had planned to hold an event on campus featuring Ribhi Karajah, a member of a Palestinian terror group convicted for his role in the killing of a 17-year-old Israeli girl. However, the event was postponed by the university following concerns about safety and security. Now, a Jewish legal advocacy group is calling on the law school to formally cancel the event.
Flyers found on campus, organized by Georgetown Law Students for Justice in Palestine, advertised an event with Ribhi Karajah scheduled for February 11. The flyer stated that Karajah, a former political prisoner, would speak about his experiences with arrest, detention, and torture in the Israeli military judicial system. Karajah, a U.S. citizen, was arrested for his involvement in a roadside bombing that resulted in the death of Rina Shnerb, a young Israeli, and injuries to her father and brother.
Karajah had spent time in an Israeli prison in 2017 while attending Birzeit University, known for its ties to terrorist sympathizers. Adar Rubin, a Jewish activist, revealed that Karajah has promoted PFLP leadership on social media and spoken at PFLP-sponsored events. The event with Karajah was postponed due to inclement weather, but the law school later instructed the student group to postpone it further to conduct a thorough investigation into safety concerns.
The Lawfare Project, a legal advocacy group supporting students facing antisemitism on campus, is urging Georgetown University to cancel the event. Citing federal laws against providing material support for terrorism, The Lawfare Project highlighted the risks of permitting Karajah to speak on campus. The group also called for transparency regarding whether law school administrators were aware of Karajah’s affiliation with the PFLP before approving the event.
During Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent visit to Washington, D.C., he met with U.S. college students who raised concerns about rising anti-Israel sentiment on campuses. Julia Wax Vanderwiel, founder of Georgetown Law Zionists, informed Netanyahu about the event with Karajah, leading to his strong reaction and support for the Jewish students. Vanderweil emphasized that Karajah’s presence on campus poses a threat to the security of all Jewish students.
In conclusion, the event featuring Ribhi Karajah, a convicted member of a Palestinian terror group, has sparked controversy at Georgetown University’s law school. While the event was postponed, the push to formally cancel it continues amid concerns about providing support to a known terrorist operative. The Lawfare Project and Jewish activists are calling for transparency and action to ensure the safety and well-being of all students on campus.
