Chairman of U.S.-Based Al-Awda Shares Glowing Eulogy for Hamas Spokesperson
“Zionism's days are numbered, and the whole world knows it. Do not be sad. Celebrate him. Celebrate every martyr who stood their ground,” the post read
Over the weekend, Amani Al-Hindi Barakat, who chairs the Al-Awda Palestine Right to Return Coalition, shared a tribute praising Huthayfa Samir al-Kahlout. Al-Kahlout, who used the alias Abu Obaida, was the spokesperson for Hamas' military wing, the Qassam Brigades. He was killed in an Israeli airstrike on August 30.
The post, which praised the Hamas official as a "martyr" and celebrated his sacrifice for the violent cause of Hamas, represents the latest in a pattern of extremist rhetoric from Barakat, who has consistently used her platform to glorify violence against Israeli civilians and promote terrorist organizations.
“Zionism's days are numbered, and the whole world knows it. Do not be sad. Celebrate him. Celebrate every martyr who stood their ground.”
Al-Awda's website identifies the organization as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt educational and charitable organization. According to Capital Research Center's analysis, Al-Awda operates as a federally recognized charity while maintaining what critics describe as deep ties to extremist movements.
Pattern of Extremist Social Media Activity
Barakat's troubling social media history extends far beyond the recent Hamas eulogy. Years of inflammatory posts are documented where she has called for "intifada" —referring to spates of violence by Palestinians in which over 1,100 Israelis were murdered — and repeatedly shared content supporting Hamas operations. In one 2015 post, she praised a young Palestinian terrorist who stabbed Israeli civilians, writing "Bravery at its finest!"
Her support extends to convicted terror financiers as well. Barakat has publicly defended the "Holy Land Foundation Five," individuals sentenced to federal prison terms ranging from 15 to 65 years for funneling millions of dollars to Hamas under the guise of humanitarian aid.
The Al-Awda chairman has also consistently promoted the "Great March of Return," violent Gaza border protests organized by Hamas that resulted in numerous attempts to breach Israel's security fence. Despite documented evidence of participants throwing firebombs, launching explosive devices, and attempting armed infiltration into Israel, Barakat characterized these events as peaceful protests inspired by Mahatma Gandhi.
Al-Awda and Barakat's statements and actions raise concerns about potential misuse of the organization's nonprofit status to promote extremist views. As a tax-exempt organization, Al-Awda can accept tax-deductible donations from American supporters. This creates the possibility that donor funds could support radical Palestinian activism that openly backs groups designated as terrorist organizations by the U.S. government.