“‘Friend of Israel’: Who Was Charlie Kirk, the Zionist, Pro‑Genocide Activist Killed in Utah

Utah (Quds News Network)- Charlie Kirk, the Zionist and pro-genocide activist, was killed during an event at Utah Valley University. US President Donald Trump called him a “great American,” while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to him as “a friend of Israel.”

What We Know?

The attack happened on Wednesday while Kirk was speaking to students. Video footage shows him collapse mid-sentence after being struck by a single bullet to the neck.

Officials report that the single fatal shot originated from a building approximately 200 yards away. The precision and execution of the attack indicate a highly professional operation. At the same time, a man in the crowd, later identified as Michael Mallinson, was detained by campus police. While being held, he shouted repeatedly, “shoot me!” His behavior created confusion that may have helped the gunman escape. Police later released Mallinson, saying he was not the shooter.

As of now, no suspect is in custody. Orem police are leading the investigation, with support from Utah Valley University campus police. The FBI has been monitoring the situation and is providing assistance as needed.

Who was Kirk?

Kirk was one of the most prominent conservative activists and media personalities in the US, and a staunch ally of President Trump.

He cofounded Turning Point USA, a nonprofit conservative advocacy group, when he was just 18.

Kirk’s group grew into the country’s largest conservative youth movement, and over the years, he became a central player in a network of pro-Trump influencers, often described as the face of the “Make America Great Again” movement.

Trump often credited Kirk with bringing many young voters and voters of colour over to his side during the 2024 presidential campaign.

His Views

On social media, he posted constantly, offering a right-wing perspective on a plethora of issues.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had invited Kirk to Israel just two weeks earlier, describing the 31-year-old as a “lion-hearted friend of Israel”.

Kirk repeatedly defended Israel’s genocide in Gaza and often blamed Palestinians for their own deaths.

In one post, he compared Gaza to World War II Japan. He wrote: “The deaths of women and children in Gaza are the fault of Hamas, not Israel, just like the deaths in Japan during World War 2 were the fault of Japan, not America.”

He also claimed that Israel is not starving Palestinians in Gaza shortly after reports confirmed that Israeli forces were blocking aid and deliberately shooting starving aid seekers.

“No, Israel is not starving Gazans,” Kirk said in one of his tweets in July.

He has also targeted Muslims and Islam consistently, accusing Muslims of being extremists and claiming Islam is not compatible with the values of the West.

“Islam is the sword the left is using to slit the throat of America,” he said in his last tweet targeting Muslims.