The Bordin College chapter of the Radical Group Students for Palestinian Justice has expressed support for Rasmieh Yousef Odeh, who was convicted for her involvement in a bombing in Israel. Notably, this group was co-founded by Zohran Mandani, a socialist mayor in New York.
In 1969, Odeh was convicted for her role in a bombing that resulted in significant casualties. She was affiliated with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a group recognized as a terrorist organization.
After serving time in an Israeli prison, Odeh was released in 1979 during a prisoner exchange. She later moved to the United States in 1994 and became a citizen a decade later.
In 2017, she faced deportation due to lies on her immigration and citizenship applications regarding her past actions.
Despite this, in 2014, the year Mandani graduated, the group publicly supported Odeh, showcasing an article about her on social media and expressing solidarity with her case.
The group Mandani helped establish at Bowdoin College has been associated with other controversial figures, including a Lebanese-American speaker who described Israel’s actions as more terroristic than those of Iran.
Jim Walden, an independent candidate in New York City, commented on SJP’s social media, suggesting that they view Odeh as a victim, which he criticized as radical and anti-Semitic.
Additionally, a poet linked to the group, Remi Kanagi, also tweeted in support of Odeh, questioning the U.S. government’s actions against her following accusations of torture.
Odeh admitted to lying about her past in legal proceedings, acknowledging the implications of providing false information to the government.
Ultimately, she lost her citizenship and was deported to Jordan, following actions initiated by the Obama administration in 2014.
Even after Mandani’s graduation, the SJP chapter continues to engage in radical protests, including occupation of campus facilities over investment concerns.
Furthermore, Mandani’s past social media activity has raised eyebrows, as it appears he may have made sympathetic remarks towards known terrorists.
In his earlier career as a rapper, Mandani notably praised controversial figures linked to terrorism.
Attempts to reach Mandani’s camp for comments went unanswered.
