Terrorist speaks at pro-Palestinian conf. in Detroit
Tanzim operative Hossam Shaheen speaking at a Detroit People’s Conference for Palestine panel, August 31, 2025. (photo credit: Screenshot/TikTok)
A convicted terrorist who was released as part of a prisoner exchange for hostages taken during the October 7 attack by Gazan militant groups appeared remotely on a panel at the Detroit People’s Conference for Palestine last Sunday, The Jerusalem Post has confirmed through social media reviews of event participants.
Hossam Shaheen, a former Tanzim operative freed on February 1 alongside other prisoners in a deal with Hamas, participated in the panel titled “The Palestinian Struggle Behind Bars.” He joined Marwan Barghouti’s son, Arab Barghouti, and journalist Lama Ghosheh via video call.
While most panels from the August 29-31 conference were live-streamed and archived by the official broadcaster BreakThrough News, the session featuring Shaheen was notably absent. Two videos related to the panel were removed from the broadcaster’s YouTube playlist, and aside from an initial announcement on Instagram on August 18, the panel was neither advertised nor promoted by the event organizers or affiliated groups on social media.
However, TikTok footage from attendees showed images of the panel with Shaheen, Ghosheh, and Barghouti, all speaking remotely. The Palestinian Youth Movement, a conference organizer, also shared a photo album on Instagram on Thursday including a sketch of the panel.
Shaheen is known for founding the al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade in Jerusalem, recruiting militants, and supplying weapons for attacks. He was arrested in 2004 in Ramallah and sentenced to 27 years for attempted murder and conspiracy.
The conference faced significant controversy following reports about Shaheen’s participation. In response, the U.S. State Department issued an alert regarding visa applications from international speakers attending the event. Journalist Abubaker Abed, who was denied a visa, spoke remotely, condemning the U.S. as a “fascist and sadistic country.”
Writers Against the War on Gaza (WAWOG), a conference participant, acknowledged Marwan Barghouti’s son and Ghosheh on social media but made no mention of Shaheen. Barghouti emphasized the importance of the Palestinian prisoners’ movement, recalling his father’s message that Palestinians cannot afford hopelessness despite harsh circumstances.
Marwan Barghouti, a former Fatah leader, was convicted in 2004 for his involvement in attacks that killed five people and is serving multiple life sentences.
Journalist Lama Ghosheh accused Israeli authorities of mistreating female Palestinian prisoners, as captured in a TikTok video posted by an attendee. Ghosheh herself was fined and sentenced to community service in 2023 for charges related to supporting a terrorist organization and incitement.
Her past social media posts praise several militant figures and advocate for armed resistance as a continuous form of struggle.
Earlier in August, Ghosheh interviewed Shaheen on her program Freedom Breakers, where he described himself as a “freedom fighter” and spoke warmly of Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) commander Walid Daqqah.
Shaheen was not the only controversial speaker at the conference. Omar Assaf, former official of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), criticized the Palestinian Authority for hindering efforts to confront Israel.
The event also featured a pre-recorded message from Mumia Abu-Jamal, a convicted cop-killer and activist.
Attendees included U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib, Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez, and Green Party presidential candidate Dr. Jill Stein. While the rhetoric was reportedly less radical than the previous year, praise for militant figures and anti-American sentiment remained.
Martinez expressed personal sympathy with Hamas, saying, “If Palestine were a schoolyard playground, I would be a Palestinian. And that part of me that couldn’t endure the abuse anymore would be Hamas.”
Last year’s conference was marked by even stronger support for terrorist groups, with the main hall named after Walid Daqqah and his wife serving as keynote speaker. PFLP member Wisam Rafeedie also addressed the event remotely after being denied a U.S. visa.
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