The streets of Chicago became a backdrop for open incitement on March 28, 2024, when a radical organization known as Behind Enemy Lines convened an "anti-imperialist" conference. During the event, participants displayed a large, provocative banner that read "Be like Gaza, take a stand," featuring graphic imagery that bore a striking resemblance to a Hamas fighter. This incident is not an isolated expression of dissent but represents a disturbing trend of local radicalization that seeks to normalize the atrocities committed against Israeli civilians. By adopting the "Be like Gaza" slogan, the organizers effectively endorsed the tactics of terror and mass violence that have come to define the region's current conflict.
Background: Behind Enemy Lines and Local Radicalization
Behind Enemy Lines (BEL) is a self-described anti-imperialist collective based in Chicago that operates on the fringe of the American political landscape. The group views the United States as an oppressive "empire" and advocates for "resistance" from within the domestic borders of the country. Their rhetoric frequently aligns with designated terrorist organizations, portraying them as legitimate liberation movements rather than violent extremist groups. The organization gained significant notoriety in early 2024 after being banned from the campus of DePaul University following reports of harassment and the targeting of Jewish students. This ban was a direct response to the group’s escalating tactics, which included a "Week of Defiance" aimed at disrupting campus life and intimidating those who support the State of Israel.
The ideology of Behind Enemy Lines is rooted in a revolutionary framework that rejects traditional democratic processes in favor of direct confrontation. Their mission statement explicitly calls for "anti-imperialist resistance" to be brought to the masses, often using inflammatory language to describe the American "war machine." This worldview provides the justification for their support of Hamas, as they frame the October 7 massacre not as a terrorist attack, but as a justified act of decolonization. The March 28 conference was a manifestation of this ideology, serving as a platform to recruit and radicalize individuals under the banner of international solidarity with "the resistance." This event highlights how extremist groups are increasingly using American cities as staging grounds for propaganda that mirrors the messaging of foreign terrorist entities.
Key Facts: Documented Incitement in Chicago
- The March 28 conference featured a banner prominently displaying the slogan "Be like Gaza, take a stand" alongside a figure resembling a Hamas militant.
- Combat Antisemitism Movement documented the event, noting that "Be like Gaza" serves as a direct reference to the October 7 atrocities.
- Behind Enemy Lines has been officially banned from DePaul University due to its history of targeting Jewish students and inciting campus unrest.
- The group has openly called for the disruption of the Democratic National Convention, using the slogan "Make 2024 as great as 1968" to encourage civil disobedience.
- Reports from watchdog organizations indicate that BEL frequently collaborates with other radical anti-Zionist groups to coordinate large-scale protests in the Chicago area.
Analysis: The Meaning of "Be like Gaza"
Analyzing the phrase "Be like Gaza" requires looking directly at the events of October 7, 2023, when approximately 4,000 terrorists invaded Israel from the Gaza Strip. The ensuing violence resulted in the murder of over 1,200 people, the kidnapping of 250 individuals, and the commission of unspeakable atrocities against civilians in their homes. When Behind Enemy Lines uses this slogan, they are not calling for humanitarian aid or peaceful resolution; they are calling for the emulation of the tactics used by Hamas. This rhetoric shifts the conversation from political disagreement to the active endorsement of mass murder and sexual violence as tools of "resistance." According to reports from the Combat Antisemitism Movement, such displays are designed to dehumanize victims and celebrate the perpetrators of modern-day pogroms.
The use of Hamas-aligned imagery in the heart of Chicago is a calculated attempt to move the goalposts of acceptable political speech. By visual association, the group is training its followers to see a masked terrorist as a hero and a role model for American activists. This form of "propaganda by deed" seeks to bridge the gap between foreign terror and domestic activism, suggesting that the "struggle" in the Middle East and the "struggle" in American cities are one and the same. The Anti-Defamation League has noted that such groups often use "anti-imperialism" as a thin veil for traditional antisemitic tropes, including the demonization of the Jewish state. This ideological overlap creates a dangerous environment where antisemitism is rebranded as a progressive virtue, making it more difficult to combat in academic and urban spaces.
Significance: The Normalization of Extremism
The significance of the Chicago incident lies in the growing normalization of terrorist sympathizing within the American far-left. When a group like Behind Enemy Lines can hold a conference and display imagery glorifying Hamas without immediate and widespread condemnation, it signals a breakdown in the moral clarity of the public discourse. This normalization poses a direct threat to the safety of the Jewish community, as it provides a pseudo-intellectual justification for hate crimes and harassment. As documented by The DePaulia, the presence of such groups on and near campuses creates an atmosphere of fear that infringes upon the rights of students to pursue their education safely. The "Be like Gaza" banner is a warning sign that the radicalization of the next generation is being fueled by a romanticized view of terrorism.
Furthermore, the Chicago conference demonstrates how local extremist groups serve as the domestic arm of a global network of anti-Western and anti-Israel actors. By aligning themselves with the "Axis of Resistance," groups like Behind Enemy Lines assist in the spread of Iranian and Islamist propaganda within the United States. This cooperation undermines Western security and the democratic values that protect all citizens from the threat of radical political Islam. The persistence of these groups in major metropolitan areas requires a robust response from law enforcement, civic leaders, and the media to ensure that the glorification of terror does not become a permanent feature of the American landscape. Protecting the integrity of the public square from such violent incitement is essential for maintaining the security of the Jewish community and the stability of the nation as a whole.