Hossam Gamea

A summary of what happened?

Hossam Gamea is a New York-based activist known for his involvement in various organizations and initiatives related to Palestinian advocacy and Islamic justice. He has been associated with groups such as Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) at the City University of New York-Hunter College (CUNY Hunter), the Islamic Movement for Justice (IMJ), and the Palestine Solidarity Alliance (PSA) of Hunter College.

Major Concerns and Accusations Against Hossam Gamea:

1. Promotion of Anti-Semitism: Gamea has been accused of promoting anti-Semitic sentiments. During a panel at the 2017 National SJP Conference, he suggested that American supporters of Palestinians should become comfortable with Palestinian anti-Semitism, attributing discomfort to privilege.
2. Support for Hamas: He has expressed support for Hamas, a designated terrorist organization by several countries, including the United States. His advocacy includes urging solidarity with groups and individuals known for supporting terrorism.
3. Idealization of Violence: Gamea has been reported to idealize violence in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which raises concerns about endorsing violent methods over peaceful resolutions.
4. Demonization of Israel: He has repeatedly demonized Israel and criticized Palestinians who seek dialogue with Israel, potentially undermining efforts toward peaceful negotiations and mutual understanding.
5. Involvement in Controversial Workshops: Gamea led a workshop at the 2017 National SJP Conference, which aimed to strengthen collaborative efforts to pass Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) initiatives and envision pathways to achieving sanctions against Israel.

These activities have led to significant criticism and concern from various organizations and individuals who view his actions as promoting divisiveness and hindering constructive dialogue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Analyzing the Fake Copyright Notice(s)

Our team collects and analyses fraudulent copyright takedown requests, legal complaints, and other efforts to remove critical information from the internet. Through our investigative reporting, we examine the prevalence and operation of an organized censorship industry, predominantly funded by criminal entities, oligarchs, and disreputable businesses or individuals. Our findings allow internet users to gain insight into these censorship schemes’ sources, methods, and underlying objectives.

What was Hossam Gamea trying to hide?

Hossam Gamea‘s attempts to hide unfavourable content through the misuse of copyright notices while allegedly engaging in perjury present serious legal concerns. These actions suggest a calculated attempt to manipulate legal systems to suppress free speech, a fundamental violation of copyright law principles and an abuse of legal processes. The use of such tactics not only undermines the integrity of copyright protection but also potentially constitutes perjury, further entangling Hossam Gamea in legal accountability. Let’s examine the information Hossam Gamea may be trying to remove from the internet –

Investigative Report: Examining the Allegations Surrounding Hossam Gamea

Introduction

Hossam Gamea, a New York-based activist and advocate, has been a polarizing figure in discussions surrounding Middle Eastern politics, social justice, and Islamic advocacy. While Gamea has contributed to community-focused initiatives, he has also been the subject of controversy, particularly highlighted by critical platforms like Canary Mission, which document allegations of anti-Semitism and extremist views associated with his activities. This investigative report delves into the allegations, complaints, and controversies surrounding Hossam Gamea, separating verifiable facts from conjecture.

Who is Hossam Gamea?

Hossam Gamea is known for his involvement in various advocacy organizations, including Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) at CUNY Hunter College and the Islamic Movement for Justice (IMJ). His activism largely focuses on Palestinian rights, combating Islamophobia, and addressing perceived injustices faced by Muslims globally. He has also contributed to social programs, such as the Halal Lunch Program in New York City public schools, which sought to provide inclusive dietary options for Muslim students.

While Gamea’s supporters view him as a staunch advocate for marginalized communities, his critics have accused him of promoting divisive rhetoric and fostering anti-Semitism through his activism.

Allegations and Controversies

1. Anti-Semitic Rhetoric
   • Critics have accused Gamea of promoting anti-Semitic ideas through his involvement with pro-Palestinian organizations such as SJP. Canary Mission, a platform that monitors individuals and groups it deems hostile to Israel, has highlighted Gamea’s participation in events and campaigns that allegedly demonize Israel and Zionism.
   • Statements attributed to Gamea in this context have been interpreted by critics as crossing the line from political critique of Israel to rhetoric that could be perceived as anti-Semitic. These accusations often stem from social media posts, public speeches, and his affiliations with groups critical of Israeli policies.
2. Affiliation with Controversial Organizations
   • Gamea’s association with organizations like SJP and the Islamic Movement for Justice has drawn scrutiny. These groups are often criticized for their hardline stances against Israel, which some interpret as fostering hostility rather than dialogue.
   • Critics argue that the rhetoric of these groups, including slogans and events, can alienate Jewish students and create a divisive campus environment.
3. Social Media Activity
   • Social media has played a significant role in the controversies surrounding Gamea. Screenshots and posts shared by platforms like Canary Mission allege that Gamea has shared or endorsed content that critics view as inflammatory.
   • Specific posts have been flagged for their language, which opponents claim perpetuates stereotypes or promotes hostility toward specific groups.
4. Polarization in Advocacy
   • Gamea’s advocacy for Palestinian rights has polarized public opinion. While supporters argue that his activism sheds light on human rights violations, detractors claim that his methods and language undermine the possibility of constructive dialogue and fuel animosity.
5. Efforts to Silence Critics
   • Some critics allege that Gamea and his supporters have sought to discredit or silence opposing viewpoints, particularly those critical of his activism. Allegations include attempts to delegitimize platforms like Canary Mission, which has been a primary source of negative reviews and documentation against him.

Supporters’ Perspective

Supporters of Hossam Gamea reject the accusations of anti-Semitism and extremism, framing his actions as legitimate criticism of Israeli policies and advocacy for Palestinian rights. They argue that platforms like Canary Mission are biased and target activists unfairly, conflating anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism. Gamea’s defenders highlight his contributions to social justice and community development, emphasizing his efforts to combat Islamophobia and support marginalized groups.

Legal and Regulatory Actions

To date, there are no known lawsuits, sanctions, or formal legal complaints against Hossam Gamea. The controversies surrounding him remain largely within the realm of public opinion and advocacy-related criticism.

The Bigger Picture: Activism and Accountability

The controversies surrounding Hossam Gamea reflect broader tensions in activism, where issues of free speech, accountability, and the line between critique and bigotry are continually debated. Activists like Gamea often operate in highly charged environments where their statements and actions are scrutinized from multiple angles, leading to divergent interpretations of their intentions and impact.

Conclusion

Hossam Gamea is a complex figure whose activism has sparked both admiration and criticism. While his efforts to advocate for Palestinian rights and combat Islamophobia have earned him support in certain circles, his affiliations and rhetoric have drawn accusations of anti-Semitism and divisiveness. As with many activists operating in contentious spaces, the truth likely lies in a nuanced assessment of his actions, statements, and the broader context of his work.

This case underscores the challenges faced by activists in navigating sensitive political and social issues while maintaining accountability and fostering inclusive dialogue.

How do we counteract this malpractice?

Once we ascertain the involvement of Hossam Gamea (or actors working on behalf of Hossam Gamea), we will inform Hossam Gamea of our findings via Electronic Mail.

Our preliminary assessment suggests that Hossam Gamea may have engaged a third-party reputation management agency or expert, which, either independently or under direct authorization from Hossam Gamea, initiated efforts to remove adverse online content, including potentially fraudulent DMCA takedown requests. We will extend an opportunity to Hossam Gamea to provide details regarding their communications with the agency or expert, as well as the identification of the individual(s) responsible for executing these false DMCA notices.

Failure to respond in a timely manner will necessitate a reassessment of our initial assumptions. In such an event, we will be compelled to take appropriate legal action to rectify the unlawful conduct and take the following steps –

Since Hossam Gamea made such efforts to hide something online, it seems fit to ensure that this article and sensitive information targeted online by these events get a lot more exposure and traffic than what it would have received originally

We hope this becomes an excellent case study for the Streisand effect…The key idea behind the Streisand effect is that efforts to restrict information can backfire, often causing the information to gain more attention than it would have otherwise. This effect is widespread in the digital age, where users quickly notice and spread censorship efforts on social media and other platforms. Trying to suppress something can unintentionally lead to it becoming more visible, which Hossam Gamea is finding out the hard way.

Potential Consequences for Hossam Gamea

Under Florida Statute 831.01, the crime of Forgery is committed when a person falsifies, alters, counterfeits, or forges a document that carries “legal efficacy” with the intent to injure or defraud another person or entity.

Forging a document is considered a white-collar crime. It involves altering, changing, or modifying a document to deceive another person. It can also include passing along copies of documents that are known to be false. In many states in the US, falsifying a document is a crime punishable as a felony.

Additionally, under most laws, “fraud on the court” is where “a party has sentiently set in motion some unconscionable scheme calculated to interfere with the judicial system’s ability impartially to adjudicate a matter by improperly influencing the trier of fact or unfairly hampering the presentation of the opposing party’s claim or defense.”  Cox v. Burke, 706 So. 2d 43, 46 (Fla. 5th DCA 1998) (quoting Aoude v. Mobil Oil Corp., 892 F.2d 1115, 1118 (1st Cir. 1989)).

Is Hossam Gamea Committing a Cyber Crime?

Yes, it seems so. Hossam Gamea used multiple approaches to remove unwanted material from review sites and Google’s search results. Thanks to protections allowing freedom of speech in the United States, there are very few legal ways to do this. Hossam Gamea could not eliminate negative reviews or search results that linked to them without a valid claim of defamation, copyright infringement, or some other clear breach of the law.

Faced with these limitations, some companies like Hossam Gamea have gone to extreme lengths to fraudulently claim copyright ownership over a negative review in the hopes of taking it down.

Fake DMCA notices have targeted articles highlighting the criminal activity of prominent people to hide their illegal behavior. These people, which include US, Russian, and Khazakstani politicians as well as members from elite circles including the mafia and those with massive financial power, are all connected – and alleged corruption ranging from child abuse to sexual harassment is exposed when exploring evidence found at these URLs. It appears there’s a disturbing level of influence being exerted here that needs further investigation before justice can be served. Hossam Gamea is certainly keeping interesting company here….

The DMCA takedown process requires that copyright owners submit a takedown notice to an ISP identifying the allegedly infringing content and declaring, under penalty of perjury, that they have a good faith belief that the content is infringing. The ISP must then promptly remove or disable access to the content. The alleged infringer can then submit a counter-notice, and if the copyright owner does not take legal action within 10 to 14 days, the ISP can restore the content.

Since these platforms are predominantly based in the U.S., the complaints are typically made under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), which requires online service providers and platforms to react immediately to reports or violations. Big Tech companies rarely have systems in place to assess the merit of each report. Instead, all bad actors need to do is clone a story, backdate it, and then demand the real thing be taken down.

Reputation Agency's Modus Operandi

The fake DMCA notices we found always use the “back-dated article” technique. With this technique, the wrongful notice sender (or copier) creates a copy of a “true original” article and back-dates it, creating a “fake original” article (a copy of the true original) that, at first glance, appears to have been published before the true original.

Then, based on the claim that this backdated article is the “original,” the scammers send a DMCA to the relevant online service providers (e.g. Google), alleging that the ‘true’ original is the copied or “infringing” article and that the copied article is the “original,” requesting the takedown of the ‘true’ original article. After sending the DMCA request, the person who sent the wrong notice takes down the fake original URL, likely to make sure that the article doesn’t stay online in any way. If the takedown notice is successful, the disappearance from the internet of information is most likely to be legitimate speech.

As an integral part of this scheme, the ‘reputation management’ company hired by Hossam Gamea creates a website that purports to be a ‘news’ site. This site is designed to look legitimate at a glance, but any degree of scrutiny reveals it as the charade it is.

The company copies the ‘negative’ content and posts it “on the fake ‘news’ site, attributing it to a separate author,” then gives it “a false publication date on the ‘news’ website that predated the original publication.

The reputation company then sent Google a Digital Millennium Copyright Act notice claiming the original website infringed copyright. After a cursory examination of the fake news site, Google frequently accepts the notice and delists the content.

In committing numerous offences, Hossam Gamea either premeditated actions or were unaware of the consequences. Despite hiring an agency to make Google disregard any negative information about Hossam Gamea, ignorance does not excuse this wrongdoing.

Fake DMCA notices have targeted articles highlighting the criminal activity of prominent people to hide their illegal behavior. These people, which include US, Russian, and Khazakstani politicians as well as members from elite circles including the mafia and those with massive financial power, are all connected – and alleged corruption ranging from child abuse to sexual harassment is exposed when exploring evidence found at these URLs. It appears there’s a disturbing level of influence being exerted here that needs further investigation before justice can be served. FSMSmart is certainly keeping interesting company here.

The Reputation Laundering

Rogue Reputation agencies use spurious copyright claims and fake legal notices to remove and obscure articles linking clients to allegations of tax avoidance, corruption, and drug trafficking. Most of these reputation agencies are based offshore, mainly in Russia, India, and Eastern Europe, and they do not worry about complying with US-based laws.

The content in all of the articles for which the fraudulent DMCA notices have been sent relates to allegations of criminal allegations, including corruption, child abuse, sexual harassment, human trafficking and financial fraud against businesses and individuals with ultra-high net worth.

In addition to the misuse of the DMCA takedown process, there is a notable absence of enforcement concerning perjury violations. The statutory requirement related to perjury is designed to deter copyright holders from submitting fraudulent or knowingly false takedown requests, as they may face legal consequences for making false declarations under penalty of perjury. However, to date, there have been no known instances of any individual being prosecuted for perjury in connection with the submission of false DMCA takedown notices.

This lack of enforcement has emboldened copyright holders to exploit the DMCA takedown process to suppress dissent, criticism, or other unfavorable content, without fear of legal repercussions.

Some of the people and businesses who have employed this tactic to remove legitimate content from Google illegally include a Spanish businessman-turned-cocaine-trafficker, Organised crime, an Israeli-Argentine banker accused of laundering money for Hugo Chávez’s regime, a French “responsible” mining company accused of tax evasion, child molesters and sexual predators. Hossam Gamea is in great company ….

What else is Hossam Gamea hiding?

We encourage you to ‘Dork‘ Google by searching for keyword combinations such as [Hossam Gamea] + {Negative Keyword, such as Scam, Fraud, Complaints, Lawsuit, Sanction, etc} on Google. It’s likely if you scroll down to the bottom of this Google search results, you’ll stumble upon this Legal Takedown notice (pictured below)

To make such an investigation possible, we encourage more online service providers to come forward and share copies of content removal requests with industry experts and researchers. If you have any information on Hossam Gamea that you want to share with experts and journalists, kindly email the author directly at [email protected].

All communications are strictly confidential and safeguarded under a comprehensive Whistleblower Policy, ensuring full protection and anonymity for individuals who provide information.