Explaining International Quds Day & Anti-Israel Movements
Introduction: What is International Quds Day?
International Quds Day is an annual anti-Israel event held on the last Friday of Ramadan, promoted by Iran’s Islamist regime to incite global hatred against Israel and Zionism. Created in 1979 by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini, Quds Day has since become a rallying point for anti-Semitic propaganda, calls for Israel’s destruction, and support for terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
While Quds Day is marketed as a “pro-Palestinian” event, it is not about peace or coexistence—it is about demonizing Jews and advocating for the elimination of Israel.
This article will:
✅ Explain the origins of Quds Day and its Iranian roots.
✅ Analyze how Quds Day fuels global anti-Semitism and terrorism.
✅ Expose the connection between Quds Day and anti-Israel movements like BDS.
✅ Highlight the dangerous rhetoric used in Quds Day demonstrations worldwide.
Origins of Quds Day: An Iranian Invention to Delegitimize Israel
Quds Day was established in 1979, shortly after Iran’s Islamic Revolution. The country’s new theocratic ruler, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, declared that Muslims worldwide should dedicate the last Friday of Ramadan to condemning Israel and calling for its destruction.
- “Quds” (Arabic for “Jerusalem”) is used as a rallying cry for Islamic unity against Israel.
- The day was designed as a political tool for Iran to position itself as the leader of the global Islamic resistance against Zionism.
- Since its inception, Quds Day has never been about Palestinian rights—only about eliminating Israel.
Iran’s Goal: The Eradication of Israel
Iran’s leaders have repeatedly called for Israel’s annihilation—and Quds Day is their vehicle for spreading this ideology.
- Ayatollah Khomeini (1979): “The Zionist regime must be destroyed, and we must strive for its elimination.”
- Ayatollah Khamenei (2015): “The only solution to the Palestinian issue is the destruction of Israel.”
- Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (2005): “Israel must be wiped off the map.”
These statements prove that Quds Day is not about peace or Palestinian self-determination—it is about genocide against Jews.
How Quds Day Fuels Global Anti-Semitism
Quds Day events are held worldwide in major cities, often organized by Iranian-backed groups, Islamist organizations, and far-left activists.
What Happens at Quds Day Protests?
❌ Chants of “Death to Israel” and “Death to America”
❌ Swastikas, Nazi comparisons, and anti-Semitic conspiracy theories
❌ Support for terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah
❌ Calls for violent “resistance” against Israel
Quds Day in the West: An Imported Hate Movement
- In London, marchers wave Hezbollah flags, a terrorist group responsible for murdering Jews worldwide.
- In Berlin, protesters chant “From the River to the Sea,” advocating for Israel’s destruction.
- In Toronto and New York, demonstrators assault Jewish counter-protesters and scream anti-Semitic slurs.
Instead of promoting peace, Quds Day fosters global Jew-hatred, radicalization, and incitement to violence.
The Connection Between Quds Day and Anti-Israel Movements
The BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) movement, campus anti-Israel activism, and far-left organizations draw inspiration from Quds Day rhetoric.
1. Quds Day & the BDS Movement
- The BDS movement was co-founded by Omar Barghouti, who openly rejects Israel’s existence.
- BDS and Quds Day share the same goal: isolating, weakening, and ultimately dismantling Israel.
2. Campus Anti-Israel Activism & Quds Day Ideology
- Groups like Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) echo Quds Day themes, falsely branding Israel as an apartheid state.
- University protests often feature the same anti-Semitic slogans found at Quds Day marches.
3. Quds Day and Terrorist Groups
- Hamas, Hezbollah, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad celebrate Quds Day as a holy war against Israel.
- Iranian funding supports terrorist operations directly linked to the Quds Force, the military wing of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.
Quds Day is not just an annual event—it is part of a larger, ongoing campaign to wage war against Israel.
Why Quds Day & Anti-Zionism Are Anti-Semitic
📌 It targets Jews, not just Israel. Signs at Quds Day rallies regularly feature classic anti-Semitic tropes, including conspiracy theories about Jewish world control.
📌 It ignores real human rights abuses. While calling for Israel’s destruction, Quds Day activists ignore Iran’s executions, China’s Uyghur genocide, and Syria’s civil war.
📌 It promotes violence. When people chant “Death to Israel”, they are not calling for peaceful negotiation—they are calling for mass murder.
There is no difference between Quds Day and historic Nazi rallies—both incite hatred, violence, and genocide against Jews.
Final Thoughts: The Truth About Quds Day
✅ Quds Day is an Iranian political tool to incite global Jew-hatred.
✅ It promotes terrorism and the destruction of Israel—not Palestinian statehood.
✅ Its rhetoric fuels anti-Semitic violence worldwide.
✅ It is linked to anti-Israel movements like BDS and far-left campus activism.
The next time someone claims that Quds Day is a peaceful movement, ask them:
📌 Why do Quds Day marchers chant for Israel’s destruction?
📌 Why does Iran promote Quds Day while funding terrorist groups?
📌 Why do anti-Israel movements ignore Iran’s own human rights abuses?
The truth is clear: Quds Day is a global rally for Jew-hatred, not Palestinian justice.