Tlaib, recently censured for anti-Semitism, addresses pro-Hamas rally.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s Troubling Connections
Days after a bipartisan group of lawmakers censured Rep. Rashida Tlaib for deploying an anti-Semitic slogan, the Michigan Democrat appeared at an event organized by Muslim groups with track records of anti-Semitism and support for the terrorist group Hamas.
The Squad member spoke Thursday at a candlelight vigil in Detroit to urge a ceasefire in Gaza. Leaders of American Muslims for Palestine, one of the event’s organizers, have called for the destruction of Israel, praised Hamas, and raised money for the terrorist organization. Its executive director has referred to the “despicable Jews” and hailed Hamas terrorists as ”martyrs.” The head of the Michigan Task Force for Palestine, another organizer, has praised Hamas and worked closely with an Islamic cleric imprisoned for funding the terrorist group.
It’s the latest example of Tlaib’s cozy ties with anti-Semitic and pro-Hamas activists. At least six of her campaign bundlers have been linked to Hamas, the Washington Free Beacon reported. And her appearance at last week’s event came after a group of Tlaib’s House colleagues, including 27 Democrats, voted to censure the lawmaker for saying “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” a slogan for the eradication of the Jewish state.
Around a dozen American Muslims for Palestine officials have praised Hamas or espoused anti-Semitic views, according to Canary Mission, a group that tracks anti-Semitism.
Osama Abuirshaid, the head of American Muslims for Palestine, cheered in 2014 that Hamas was “raining the Hebrew state with rockets,” the group reported. Abuirshaid, who hosted Tlaib at an event in 2021 to urge sanctions against Israel, has also railed against the “Zionist influence in the media” and Hollywood.
Salah Sarsour, an American Muslims for Palestine board member and Tlaib campaign fundraiser, raised money for a Hamas front group in the late 1990s, according to an FBI memorandum.
Neveen Ayesh, a government relations coordinator at American Muslims for Palestine, has said she wants to “set Israel on fire with my own hands & watch it burn to ashes along with every Israeli in it,” the Free Beacon reported. Taher Herzallah, the group’s director of outreach, defended Muslims who “use violent means to resist occupation.”
Mohamad Hebehh, the director of development for American Muslims for Palestine, wrote in since-deleted posts that “Hamas should make me their official PR dude.” He published numerous anti-Semitic screeds, including the claim, “If you work with the Jews you deserve any punishment possible in this dunya [world],” according to Canary Mission.
Michigan Task Force for Palestine, another organizer of last week’s vigil, was recently formed by Khalid Turaani, a longtime Palestinian activist who served as executive director of American Muslims for Jerusalem, a now-defunct group that operated under the umbrella of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Turaani, who has referred to Tlaib as his “good friend” and met with her at an event last year, has praised Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas figures on social media. In a 2014 post, he praised Abu Obeida, a nom de guerre for Hamas fighters, and wrote: “Now the Palestinian resistance imposes a siege on Israel.” He worked closely with Sheikh Raed Salah, a radical Islamic cleric who was imprisoned for funding Hamas and for inciting violence against Israel.
Another organizer of the vigil last week, the George Soros-funded Jewish Voice for Peace, organized the protest at Democratic National Committee headquarters last week in which six Capitol Police officers were assaulted.
Tlaib’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
How has Tlaib responded to the allegations and concerns raised about her associations and actions?
Stine, has been photographed wearing a shirt with the slogan “From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free” – a phrase used by Palestinian extremists to call for the elimination of Israel. This is the same slogan that Tlaib used and was subsequently censured for by her colleagues.
These troubling connections raise serious questions about Tlaib’s judgment and values. It is deeply concerning that a member of Congress would associate herself with individuals and organizations that support terrorism and espouse anti-Semitic views. Tlaib’s participation in events organized by these groups sends a dangerous message and undermines the values of tolerance and inclusivity that our country holds dear.
It is not enough for Tlaib to distance herself from these individuals and organizations after the fact. She must be held accountable for her actions and her associations. It is the responsibility of every elected official to uphold the highest standards of integrity and to disavow and condemn any form of hate or support for terrorism.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time that Tlaib has been involved in controversies related to anti-Semitism and support for extremism. In 2019, she faced backlash for making anti-Semitic remarks and promoting conspiracy theories about Jewish influence in politics. And just last year, she faced criticism for retweeting a post that accused Israel of genocide.
These repeated instances of questionable behavior should raise serious concerns among Tlaib’s constituents and her fellow lawmakers. It is crucial that we hold our elected officials accountable for their actions and ensure that they are representing the best interests of their constituents and the American people as a whole.
In the face of rising anti-Semitism and terrorism threats, we cannot afford to have lawmakers who are aligned with individuals and organizations that promote hate and violence. It is imperative that we stand against hate in all its forms and reject any association with those who seek to undermine the values of freedom, democracy, and equality that our nation was founded on.
As we move forward, it is important for Tlaib to publicly address these troubling connections and explain her associations with individuals and organizations that have such concerning track records. The American people deserve transparency and honesty from their elected officials, and it is Tlaib’s responsibility to provide answers and reassurances about her actions and beliefs.
In conclusion, Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s troubling connections with individuals and organizations that promote anti-Semitism and support terrorism raise serious concerns about her judgment and values. It is imperative that we hold our elected officials accountable for their actions and associations, and ensure that they are representing the best interests of their constituents and the American people as a whole. We cannot tolerate hate, extremism, or support for terrorism, and it is crucial that we stand against those who seek to undermine the values that our nation holds dear.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
