Controversial Democratic Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), known for her radical anti-Semitic views, has reportedly been identified as a member of a secret Facebook group named “Palestinian American Congress.” This group, not visible on the platform’s search engine and accessible only to its members, has been found to celebrate and “glamorize” Hamas terrorists and their recent attacks on Israelis.
An investigative report by Fox News reveals that the group, founded by Maher Abdel-qader, who has strong connections to Tlaib, has been actively commemorating the horrific Islamic terror attacks that claimed the lives of hundreds of innocent Israelis last month. Abdel-qader has been previously linked to other liberal politicians and faced criticism for anti-Semitic social media posts, including questioning the occurrence of the Holocaust.
Within the Palestinian American Congress group, Hamas terrorists are referred to as the “Palestinian armed resistance,” and members use terms like the “glorious dead” to describe terrorists killed during attacks. Posts in the wake of the October 7 attack on Israel express support for Hamas and feature disturbing content. For instance, on October 12, a member posted a message accompanied by an image depicting an elderly Israeli woman being held captive by a Hamas terrorist, stating, “We don’t want to throw you in the sea…we want you to ride it back from where you came.”
On October 19, another group member highlighted what they referred to as the “achievements” of the “resistance in Northern occupied Palestine,” including the killing of dozens of Israeli soldiers, accompanied by a picture of a Hamas terrorist.
“Since yesterday I have been attached to the TV watching the news,” one group member posted on October 10, addressing the “American Media.”
“You, and the people directing you, are the problem, you created it almost 100 years ago, made it official 75 years ago and you have been feeding its flam ever since,” the post continued.
“You consider Hamas a terrorist organization and I am not going to argue with you at the same time you have been broadcasting that they have been killing women and children, guess that is what terrorists do at the same time no mention to the killing of Palestinian women, children, and entire families killed on a daily basses (sic) by the [peace-loving] state of Israel using American gifts of weapons and jet fighters.”
“Yesterday I didn’t see Hamas I saw the grand kids (sic) of the refugees that ethnically cleansed from their homeland attacking the grand kids (sic) of the colonists whom sent them to diaspora,” they later wrote.
Various members of the group have shared pro-Hamas messages and images earlier this year, preceding the recent attacks.
Fox reports that Tlaib joined the group six years ago and actively posted during her 2018 congressional campaign. In the following year, a Daily Caller report revealed her membership and exposed numerous anti-Semitic posts within the group, sparking criticism.
As the sole Palestinian American in Congress, Tlaib has faced scrutiny for her comments following Hamas’s invasion and the subsequent conflict. Recently, the House of Representatives voted 234-188 to censure her, expressing formal disapproval of her latest anti-Israel remarks made in the aftermath of the nation’s battle against the terror group.
Tlaib has a significant history with Abdel-qader, the founder of the Palestinian American Congress group. Despite his past controversial statements, including sharing a video that referred to Jews as “Satanic” and questioning the Holocaust, he has been involved in fundraising events with Tlaib, having personally donated at least $6,500 to her campaign since 2018. Abdel-qader also served as the chairman of her finance committee during her 2018 congressional campaign.
Abdel-qader, a Palestinian activist, has organized a Chicago fundraiser for Tlaib and Pennsylvania Democrat Rep. Summer Lee, touting their strong support for their community and the “just cause of Palestine.”
Since Israel’s counterattack against Hamas, Abdel-qader has participated in pro-Hamas protests in the U.S. and shared anti-Israel messages on his Facebook page. For instance, on October 19, he posted:
“Israeli Nazis air strike (sic) on Ahli Arab Hospital killed more than 500 people stop the massacre now.”
Contrary to claims, a failed rocket launch by Hamas terrorists was responsible for striking the hospital. Despite evidence proving otherwise, Tlaib and others continued to propagate the falsehood that Israelis were behind the attack.
In addition to Tlaib, Abdel-qader has expressed support for various progressive politicians, including fellow “Squad” member Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO). Bush participated in a virtual Zoom fundraiser with Abdel-qader in September 2021, as per his now-locked Instagram account. In November of that year, Abdel-qader posted a fundraising flier for Bush’s reception, organized by the St. Louis Palestine Solidarity Committee and the Muslim Community of St. Louis, seeking donations between $100 and $2,500 for her campaign. It appears he donated $250 to her campaign for the event.
The controversial activist has also campaigned with several other Democrats, including New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, among others.
