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The GW Hatchet

Serving the GW Community since 1904

The GW Hatchet

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Officials name senior vice president, chief of staff
By Fiona Riley, Assistant News Editor • March 26, 2024

Horowitz defends event

Conservative author David Horowitz defended his views and lashed out against GW’s administration at a speech on campus Thursday night, one day after he was booed off stage at Emory University.

Horowitz is the organizer of a nationwide event to raise awareness about radical Islamic states – Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week. The week garnered national attention two weeks ago when several GW students hung posters alleging that it encourages the hatred of Muslims.

In Jack Morton Auditorium Thursday evening, he told a group of about 200 that he was tired of being unfairly attacked. He also criticized University President Steven Knapp, who he mistakenly called Peter, for not personally punishing the students who hung the posters.

“There is a lynch mob on this campus, and it’s led by Peter Knapp,” Horowitz said.

Horowitz’s visit was co-sponsored by the Young America’s Foundation and the Student Association. The event cost the organizations a total of about $900 because of the additional security Horowitz required, YAF president Sergio Gor said.

Horowitz spoke at length about dangerous radical Muslim ideologies and the risks posed to America. He emphasized several times that he does not oppose the Muslim religion, but merely radical violent sects.

“If you can’t identify who your enemy is, you are defenseless,” Horowitz said.

Horowitz compared Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah to fascist governments of the past and stressed their anti-Semitism has become an “epidemic in the Middle East.”

“It’s not a coincidence that the Iran National Guard goosesteps; it’s an homage to the Nazis,” Horowitz said.

During the question and answer portion, two protesters unveiled a large fabric sign condemning Horowitz’s views. They were escorted out of the auditorium by the University Police Department, amid criticism from the audience.

“It’s very difficult to get your message out once you’ve been branded a racist,” Horowitz said after the speech. “I didn’t say anything condemning all Muslims tonight and I hope people saw that.”

One of the young men forced to leave, Catholic sophomore Robert Diesu, said he was surprised no one from GW protested.

“I sent e-mails to the Muslim Students’ Association, Allied in Pride, the Black Student Union and a bunch of other organizations and not one responded,” said Diesu, who was there with an activist group called The World Can’t Wait.

More than 30 members of the MSA attended the event but many said they respected the right to free speech on campus and had not planned to protest.

“I respect that he has his own views. It’s important, to always be respectful of others free speech,” said junior Sana Ahmed, an MSA member.

Another tense moment came during the question and answer session when MSA vice president Deena Elmaghrabi asserted that the term Islamo-fascism “equates an entire religion” with fascism. Horowitz proceeded to challenge Elmaghrabi to denounce Hezbollah, which she declined to do.

“How can I denounce people I don’t know?” she asked Horowitz.

The heated exchange prompted a YAF member to take the microphone from Elmaghrabi and caused some audience members to shout from their seats.

Ron Kirby, a resident of Alexandria, Va., said he came to support Horowitz and the week.

“The speech was pretty much a history lesson,” said Kirby, alluding to Horowitz’s references to the Ottoman Empire. “But we need it if we want to know our enemy.”

Sophomore Harry Baumgarten, who asked Horowitz a question about Palestinians said he tried to come with an open mind, despite reading about Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week in the media.

“I’m proud that GW was able to do this event,” Baumgarten said. “It shows that we are truly committed to open dialogue.”

After the speech, Horowitz said he was pleased with the amount of attention his event received.

“We have achieved our goal because we have made people discuss the nature of the enemy,” Horowitz said.

He added, “Tonight was easily the best audience I’ve had on tour.”

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