A coordinated global wave of protests dubbed "Nakba 78" took place across the United States and abroad this weekend, with organizers using the anniversary of Israel's founding to mobilize demonstrations in what they describe as opposition to Israeli policies toward Palestinians.
The protests drew participation from an estimated 425 organizations including communist groups, Muslim advocacy organizations and anti-Israel activist coalitions, according to a Fox News Digital analysis. These groups organized approximately 736 events across 39 countries, with locations including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London and Sydney.
The demonstrations mark the "Nakba," an Arabic word meaning "catastrophe" that Palestinians use to describe the founding of Israel on May 14, 1948, and the displacement of Palestinians that followed. The combined funding footprint of participating organizations amounts to approximately $1 billion in annual revenues, according to the analysis.
The protests represent a coordinated transnational effort bringing together groups with diverse ideological backgrounds united by opposition to Israeli government policies.
What the Left Is Saying
Proponents of the Nakba 78 protests describe the demonstrations as expressions of solidarity with Palestinian human rights and opposition to what they characterize as Israeli occupation and apartheid policies. Organizers say the events are peaceful assemblies advocating for Palestinian self-determination, a ceasefire in ongoing conflicts, and international pressure on Israel regarding its treatment of Palestinians.
Protest materials reviewed by Fox News Digital indicate that participating groups describe their goals as standing against "genocide," "apartheid" and U.S. "imperialism." Groups including the People's Forum, described as a pro-communist activist hub and 501(c)(3) nonprofit, organized protest activities in cities across the country.
Supporters argue these demonstrations represent legitimate political speech protected under constitutional guarantees and reflect widespread international concern about civilian casualties and humanitarian conditions in conflict zones. Muslim advocacy organizations and Palestinian diaspora communities in multiple countries have participated in the coordinated events as part of broader efforts to raise awareness about their concerns regarding Israeli policies.
What the Right Is Saying
Critics characterize the Nakba 78 protests as manifestations of a global antisemitic movement that presents itself as humanitarian while mainstreaming rhetoric denying Jewish self-determination and the right of Israel to exist as a state. Dalia Ziada, a Middle East scholar and Washington-based coordinator at the Institute for Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy, described the protests as reflecting a "sinful marriage between the radical left and radical Islamism, the groups that hate Western liberal democracies and desire to destroy them."
Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., a member of the Senate Judiciary and Finance Committees, expressed concern about foreign influence through U.S. nonprofit organizations. "One of the things we know about the Singham group and about the Chinese Communist Party is they are going to look for a fellow bad actor… and they're going to try to partner with them in causing chaos in our cities," Blackburn said.
Blackburn added that such efforts represent a broader strategic approach by foreign actors. "There is no limit to what the Chinese Communist Party will do to create chaos in the United States," she stated.
U.S. Treasury, Justice and State Department officials are investigating funding structures and operations of organizations linked to Neville Roy Singham, who has reportedly funneled $278 million into a network of nonprofits over almost a decade. House Judiciary, Oversight and Ways and Means committees are also examining these groups for possible violations of laws requiring agents of foreign interests to register with the Justice Department.
What the Numbers Show
According to Fox News Digital's analysis: approximately 425 organizations participated in coordinated Nakba 78 activities; organizers listed an estimated 736 events across 39 countries; combined annual revenues of participating organizations total approximately $1 billion; and Neville Roy Singham has directed $278 million through nonprofit networks over nearly a decade.
The United States hosted the most events with 187, followed by the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Canada, Spain, France, Ireland and Australia. Major U.S. cities including New York, Chicago and Los Angeles served as protest hubs, alongside international locations in London and Sydney.
Federal investigators are examining whether organizations receiving funds through these networks properly registered under Foreign Agents Registration Act requirements.
The Bottom Line
The Nakba 78 protests demonstrate the continued polarization surrounding Israeli-Palestinian issues on the global stage. The scale of coordinated international activity highlights both the reach of transnational activist networks and the contentious nature of debates over Israeli policies toward Palestinians.
Federal investigations into funding sources for some participating organizations remain ongoing, with congressional committees examining whether foreign influence laws were properly followed. The protests are scheduled to continue through the weekend, with organizers and critics alike watching participation levels as an indicator of broader public sentiment on Middle East policy issues.