Freed Palestinian terrorist to speak at Detroit conference
- Hussam Shaheen was released on February 1 as part of a prisoner exchange agreement following the October 7 Hamas attacks.
- Omar Assaf, a veteran DFLP terrorist, will also speak at the Detroit People's Conference for Palestine.
- The attendance of prominent anti-Israel groups indicates the controversial nature of the event and its potential impact on the discourse around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In late August 2025, a significant pro-Palestinian conference is scheduled to take place in Detroit, Michigan, where two Palestinian terrorists are set to address the audience. Hussam Shaheen, a convicted terrorist who was freed in February as part of a prisoner exchange related to hostages taken during the October 7 Hamas massacre, is one of the key speakers. Shaheen was arrested in 2004 due to his involvement with the al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade and sentenced to 27 years for attempted murder and conspiracy. Another prominent figure at the event is Omar Assaf, a member of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), now active in coordinating the Palestinian Popular Conference. This organization has called for a more militant stance against Israel. The event will also feature several American anti-Israel groups, such as the United States Palestinian Community Network and Jewish Voice for Peace, amplifying the controversial atmosphere surrounding it. This follows a history of pro-Palestinian conferences where figures linked to terrorism have been celebrated, reflecting the polarized nature of the discourse around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. With this Detroit gathering, attendees can expect a heated discussion on Palestinian rights, resistance, and the broader implications for peace in the region.