Children chant 'we will crush Zionism' at Palestinian Youth Movement summer school in UK

The British branch of the Palestinian Youth Movement held a Summer School where young attendees chanted slogans including 'we will crush Zionism' and 'young people, rise up, our revolution is an Arab revolution'.

The Palestinian Youth Movement describes itself as a grassroots effort that mobilizes Palestinian and Arab youth for liberation efforts. It draws from historical Palestinian revolutionary themes and emphasizes freeing people and land from the river to the sea.

The event took place over the May bank holiday weekend and gathered more than 100 Arab youth. The group holds its summer camp every two years.

According to the organization's Instagram account, participants reviewed developments in the region over the past two years, the state of the Palestine movement in Britain, and the role of diaspora youth in the ongoing national liberation struggle.

Footage shared on the group's Instagram featured group chants opposing Zionism and urging revolution. One image showed young people viewing a presentation that included a quote from PFLP member Ghassan Kanafani.

Youth being radicalized

Kanafani served as spokesperson for the PFLP during the time of the Lod airport attack.

Additional concerns arose from a PYM football tournament for Palestine held the previous month. The coach wore a shirt stating '48, the future is decolonial.' Only two players had numbered jerseys showing '10' and '7,' prompting speculation about a possible reference to the October 7 attack.

Some observers voiced worries that young people may be undergoing radicalization in the name of supporting the Palestinian cause.

Israel says Palestinian Youth Movement has close ties to terror organization

Israeli authorities state that PYM maintains close connections to the PFLP and Samidoun, which Israel classifies as a terrorist-linked group. A 2019 French court ruling, referencing a 2015 report from French security services, described the Palestinian Youth Movement as affiliated with the PFLP.

A 2025 study series co-sponsored by PYM and the People's Forum directed participants to articles that endorse resistance against Israel and present the October 7 events in a favorable light.

PYM has played a major role in organizing anti-Israel and anti-Zionist activities in the United States, often alongside groups such as Jewish Voice for Peace and the Party for Socialism and Liberation.

Since the October 7 attack, PYM has helped sponsor at least 450 anti-Israel demonstrations across the United States.

On October 8, 2023, PYM joined with the PSL to host a protest in New York City where some speakers praised the actions of Hamas.