The Perverse Love Between The Far-Left and Islam
In recent years, a curious and seemingly contradictory alliance has emerged between the radical left and certain Islamic ideologies. At first glance, the two ideologies appear to have little in common. The left promotes gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and secularism, which contrast with some conservative aspects of many Islamic societies. However, this alliance is rooted in shared opposition to Western imperialism, capitalism, and a desire to challenge the status quo. The radical left views many Islamic societies as victims of Western colonialism, fostering a sense of solidarity and willingness to overlook certain conservative elements.
The surge in campus activism following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023, illustrates the intersection between these two ideologies. A critical aspect of these campus protests is framing the Israel-Hamas conflict through a binary lens of oppressors versus oppressed, a hallmark of woke ideology. This perspective simplifies complex geopolitical issues into moral binaries, categorizing groups strictly as either victims or perpetrators. Student groups often position Israel as a colonial power and Palestinians as the oppressed, resonating with broader leftist anti-colonial rhetoric. This dichotomy amplifies support for the Palestinian cause while vilifying Israel.
Meanwhile, some Islamic groups see the radical left as useful allies in their struggles against Western influence. Iran strategically aligns with the radical left to regularly spread propaganda that serves its geopolitical interests. Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei called Western protests a “unique phenomenon” and urged US students to join the Axis of Resistance. Despite Iran’s clear involvement, many protesters remain unaware of its influence. Beyond issuing statements, Iran actively shapes protests through online disinformation, with the Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forging ties with Western think tanks and using state media to amplify its narratives. Iran also manipulates public opinion through fake online personas. After Hamas’s October 7th attack, the Iranian-linked Storm-1364 launched Tears of War, a fake Israeli activist account spreading anti-Netanyahu messages, while pro-Palestinian sockpuppets labeled Israel’s actions as “genocide.” In December, the IRGC’s cyber group Cotton Sandstorm ran AI-generated influence campaigns under “For Palestinians and For Humanity”, spreading anti-Israel and anti-American narratives. It also hijacked streaming services to broadcast fabricated reports of Israeli war crimes and Palestinian suffering.
Iran further tries to boost its credibility by framing support for Hamas as anti-imperialist resistance, leveraging themes of oppression and inequality popular in woke culture. It portrays US university protests as police repression, positioning itself as a champion of the oppressed while expanding its influence and fueling protests in the West. Its efforts have proven highly effective, with Iranian state media traffic rising 42% during the first week of the conflict, especially among English-speaking US allies.
Despite its online campaigns, Iran also provides direct financial backing. Many pro-Palestinian groups receive funding from entities connected to the Iranian leadership, often through so-called charitable foundations. The Maximum Difference Foundation, linked to the Amin family, a major US pistachio producer, has also been cited as a funding source for these movements. These financial contributions are fueling protests, organizing events, and amplifying eliminationist rhetoric against Israel.
However, this alliance highlights a perplexing paradox. The left’s commitment to gender equality and human rights starkly contrasts with Iran’s restrictive policies and persecution of women and LGBTQ+ individuals. This dynamic reflects a broader pattern of aligning with groups or regimes that, while sharing a common enemy, do not correspond with its fundamental values. Iran’s manipulation of woke culture impacts both domestic and international politics by undermining the left’s credibility, and deepening polarization and mistrust in Western societies.
Protests involving rallies, vigils, and confrontations between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups have led to significant campus tensions. Jewish students report feeling unsafe, highlighting the need for universities to foster inclusive spaces for diverse perspectives. Some institutions have struggled to balance free speech with campus safety. For example, Columbia closed its campus due to security concerns after an Israeli student was allegedly assaulted. Meanwhile, pro-Palestinian protests have persisted, with demonstrators occupying institutions such as La Sorbonne University in Paris, barring students and staff from accessing the campus for over a month.
Beyond university campuses, violence against Jews continues globally. In November 2024, Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were assaulted in Amsterdam after a Europa League match, with some victims hospitalized. These attacks were described as a modern-day pogrom, indicating premeditated targeting of Jewish individuals. Following the October 7, 2023 massacre in Israel, the US saw antisemitic incidents increase by 361%, totaling 3,291 compared to 712 in the same period the previous year. Similar increases have been observed across Europe, where radical left and Islamist groups have exploited geopolitical tensions to fuel antisemitic sentiments.
This alliance between Islamist groups and leftist movements, often bolstered by Iranian propaganda, has not only contributed to a surge in antisemitism but also raised concerns about Western security. The protests have sparked debates on universities’ roles in geopolitical issues, with some maintaining a neutral stance, whereas others have actively engaged in the issue. For instance, in Europe, Belgium’s Ghent University and the University of Barcelona, among many others, have severed ties with Israeli institutions amid student-led protest initiatives across campuses.
These developments raise critical questions: What role should universities play in geopolitical conflicts? How can inclusive environments be preserved without compromising safety? What measures should be taken to ensure activism is not co-opted by external geopolitical actors?
Addressing these questions is essential to ensure that genuine activism remains grounded in universal values rather than becoming a tool for geopolitical manipulation.