Lissy Romanow is a co-founder of IfNotNow (INN) who has been arrested while supporting disruptive protesters, joined an anti-Israel activist trip, attended an event that repurposed Jewish rituals, and promoted narratives demonizing Israel. As a national leader of INN, Romanow was complicit in the group’s decision to partner with American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), an organization widely criticized for antisemitic activity.
Arrest at Los Angeles Protest
On April 11, 2018, Romanow was arrested at an INN protest in Los Angeles titled “Stop the Violence: Vigil & March for Gaza.” Protesters blocked the entrance to the Jewish Federation building while holding signs that read “How many more? #EnoughOccupation.” When they refused police orders, they were arrested. During the protest, activists recited the Mourner’s Kaddish for Gazans killed during Hamas-instigated border riots.
Delegation to Israel
In May 2017, Romanow participated in a delegation called “Justice Justice You Shall Pursue” with INN and the Center for Jewish Nonviolence. The group met with Issa Amro of Youth Against Settlements, who has been charged with violence against Israeli soldiers and civilians, and toured with Breaking the Silence, a group accused of spreading distorted testimonies against Israel. The delegation also met activist Sam Bahour, who has compared Israeli leaders to Hitler and supported convicted terrorists.
Repurposing Jewish Rituals
In April 2016, Romanow attended INN Boston’s “Liberation Seder” at AIPAC’s Boston office. Activists chained themselves to a table inside the building and altered traditional Passover symbols to represent political messages against Israel. Six activists were arrested at the protest, and INN later promoted the model of “liberation seders” nationwide.
Demonizing Israel
During the March of Return riots in 2018, Romanow retweeted a call for American Jews to oppose Israel’s actions, despite rioters attacking Israeli communities with Molotov cocktails, explosives, and attempts to breach the border. In 2015, she retweeted an article featuring Marwan Barghouti, who praised the Knife Intifada, a wave of stabbings against Israeli civilians.
Background
As of 2019, Romanow was Executive Director of Momentum, a protest training institute, and listed as a trainer with the Ayni Institute. She graduated from Columbia University in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in Religion.
