In the latest chapter of Alec Popivker’s ongoing saga, a peaceful Israeli flag-waving protester gets a lesson in the fine art of pro-Hamas hospitality. On May 22, 2025, Popivker, known for his unapologetic stance on the link between anti-Zionism and antisemitism, was physically assaulted outside the Party for Socialism and Liberation’s Cleveland Liberation Center. The venue, known for its politically charged atmosphere and connection to far-left causes, became the backdrop for what can only be described as a prime example of “dialogue through violence.”
Popivker, ever the brave soul, was holding an Israeli flag and proudly displaying a sign that read, Anti-Zionism = Antisemitism. Not exactly the type of message you’d expect to find endorsed by the PSL, which seems to have a soft spot for violent rhetoric and anti-Israel sentiment. But that’s just the thing — Popivker is nothing if not consistent in calling out these groups for what they truly represent.
According to Popivker, the incident unfolded as follows: a 200-pound man — who had been lurking in the shadows, presumably waiting for the right moment to make his entrance — emerged from the back room of the PSL building just as Popivker was peacefully protesting. It’s almost as if he were part of the event’s infrastructure, given that he was seen acting as a “security escort” for people exiting the venue. No one’s saying it outright, but the fact that this guy was hanging around with such impunity makes you wonder if the event organizers might have orchestrated the encounter.
Popivker was doing what he does best — peacefully waving the flag of a free nation — when his assailant, claiming to be interested in “protesting with him,” requested a photo with the Israeli flag. The situation then escalated quickly. The assailant grabbed the flag, stomped on its pole, and yelled, “F** Israel!” A man of few words but plenty of punch, he then proceeded to demonstrate his hospitality by punching Popivker in the head and tossing his hat and kippah aside like yesterday’s news.
While Popivker wasn’t severely injured, anyone who’s been hit below the ear knows that chewing for the next couple of days can become a painful ordeal. But in the grand scheme of things, what’s a little jaw discomfort when you’re facing down the violent intolerance of a Hamas-leaning organization?
What makes this all the more surreal is the fact that Popivker’s friend, who was inside the PSL building, couldn’t even get a glimpse of the outside action due to the fact that the windows had been cleverly blocked by keffiyehs and posters. Clearly, the PSL had thought of everything to keep things “peaceful” — as long as you don’t count the violent assault that followed.
This wasn’t Popivker’s first rodeo, either. He’s been cornered by Palestinians in parking lots, had the police called on him for nothing more than showing up to confront hate with a flag, and was once assaulted by per-Hamas activist Abbas Hamidah, a man working as a sheriff’s deputy in Cuyahoga County. While Popivker dutifully filed police reports in each instance, these stories seem to have a distinct lack of media coverage. In fact, the mainstream media seems to be just thrilled to focus on Muslim complaints of “hate crimes,” a narrative championed by organizations such as the Hamas-linked Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). Not to be outdone, CAIR’s executive director in Chicago, Ahmed Rehab, recently condemned the Washington, D.C. murders because, according to him, they were the tactics of Israel.
But back to the numbers — while CAIR endlessly publicizes complaints of anti-Muslim incidents, the FBI’s hate crime statistics seem to tell a different story. Jews, in fact, consistently rank among the top five groups targeted for hate crimes, with Muslims enjoying a similar rate of victimization to that of other groups such as transgenders and lesbians. Yet strangely, these statistics rarely make the rounds in the headlines.
So as Popivker endures yet another chapter of physical violence in the name of free speech, it’s worth reflecting on how easily the narrative around “hate” can be manipulated. If you’re ever wondering why an Israeli flag can make people so mad, just take a look at the organizations that make it their business to oppose it.
And while the media fixates on CAIR’s narrative, Popivker continues to be a lone voice of reason, making it clear that standing for Israel in today’s world can sometimes mean standing alone — unless, of course, you count the dozens of anti-Semitic attacks you’ll inevitably endure in the process. And, in case you’re wondering, those don’t count as newsworthy.
Westman says
Ahmed Rehab(CAIR) used the term “vigilante violence”, a Freudian Slip, in reference to the DC couple murder which completely belied his long denial that that the couple was associated in his mind with Gaza – just another indication of the sickness Islam plants in the believer’s mind about Jews as interchangeable enemies.
Two serious problems with Islam as a “Plan For Life” are its allowance of making up the economic shortfall in large families by taking booty(conquest, jizyya, “jihad seeker’s allowance”), by organized groups or individuals, from the unbelievers and considering all non-Muslims as inferior. This is a recipie for violence and discord between Muslims and democratic societies – currently playing out in France and Israel.