Pro-Palestine Children’s Book Glorifies “Al-Qassam,” the Name of Hamas’ Military Wing
Palestinian-American author Susan Abulhawa’s debut children’s book includes “Al-Qassam,” the name of Hamas’ military wing, as a “magic” lunar location.
Palestinian-American author Susan Abulhawa has published her first children’s book featuring positive a reference to Hamas’ designated terrorist military wing. In promotional materials for Palestine on the Moon, Abulhawa describes a plot element where “there’s a magic part of the moon called Al-Qassam” where “Palestinians will use its magic moondust to get free, and free the rest of the world too.”
The Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, commonly known as the Al-Qassam Brigades, serves as the armed wing of Hamas and was designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the U.S. State Department in 1997. Additionally, “Qassam” is also the name associated with the rockets Hamas has repeatedly fired at Israel.
Abulhawa’s Activism and Controversial Statements
Abulhawa, an internationally published novelist, founded the nonprofit Playgrounds for Palestine in 2001 and has been active in the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. Her activism extends beyond policy criticism into inflammatory rhetoric about Israelis and Jews.
In social media posts, Abulhawa has referred to Israelis as “rootless, soulless ghouls” and described the October 7 attacks, which killed over 1,200 Israelis, as a “spectacular moment.” She also characterized the Gaza war as a “Jewish supremacist slaughter,” writing “these sons of Satan will taste what they meted to us.”
In a March 2026 interview, Abulhawa doubled down, stating “I think no words, no terrible words should be spared for these monsters, because they are monsters” in reference to Jewish Americans.
The Children’s Book Market
Palestine on the Moon, priced at $30 and available as an 8.5 × 11 inch hardcover, tells “the story of how Palestine went to the moon and saved the world.” According to Abulhawa’s promotional materials, the narrative follows a girl named Zeta as the first person to reach the moon, where the “Al-Qassam” location plays a central role in the liberation narrative.
The book enters a growing market of Palestinian-focused children’s literature, but appears unique in its incorporation of a name directly associated with a designated terrorist organization’s military operations.
The Al-Qassam Connection
The Al-Qassam Brigades take their name from Izz ad-Din al-Qassam, a Syrian cleric who in the 1930s founded the Black Hand, a secret group that tracked down Arab and Jewish land brokers involved in land transfers from Arabs to Jews and targeted them for assassination. Hamas founded the military wing in 1991, explicitly naming it after the historical figure. The organization has been responsible for numerous terrorist attacks against Israeli and American civilians, including the October 7th attack.
The U.S. Treasury Department has repeatedly targeted Al-Qassam Brigades facilitators, noting they have moved tens of millions of dollars to support Hamas operations. Most recently, in March 2026, the Treasury sanctioned Hamas’ illicit charity network for funneling resources to the Al-Qassam Brigades.
Broader Pattern of Normalization
The reference to Al-Qassam in a children’s book represents a subtle form of normalization, introducing young readers to terminology associated with terrorist organizations through fantastical, positive framing. While Abulhawa could argue the reference honors the historical figure rather than the contemporary military organization, the practical effect remains that Al-Qassam has become synonymous with discourse relating to Hamas’ terror activity.
And Mrs. Mamdani is a big fan. We have an out and out Jew hater in Gracie Mansion, and I’m not talking about Zohran. He said she’s no part of his administration, and acts only as a ‘private citizen.’ Yet earlier he stated that she is close to him on all policy concerns. Hmmm… Which is it, Zohran?
shalom / salaam