The Anti-Defamation League condemned Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) on Thursday for meeting with an activist last week who has called Israel a “terrorist entity” and who has a “delusional ISIS-like ideology,” in addition to praising U.S.-designated terrorist groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
“No matter your political persuasion, all leaders—and Americans—need to unequivocally speak out against anti-Semitism and hate,” posted ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt in a Twitter thread. “That especially goes for members of Congress.”
“Days ago, @RashidaTlaib was photographed at an event with Abbas Hamideh, a man who has praised terrorist groups Hamas & Hezbollah and equated Zionists with Nazis,” he added. “We ask her to clarify his attendance and denounce his anti-Semitism.”
Days ago, @RashidaTlaib was photographed at an event with Abbas Hamideh, a man who has praised terrorist groups Hamas & Hezbollah and equated Zionists with Nazis. We ask her to clarify his attendance and denounce his anti-Semitism. More on Hamideh: https://t.co/sFrouCNSaZ 2/3
— Jonathan Greenblatt (@JGreenblattADL) January 17, 2019
The ADL published a dossier on Thursday about Hamideh and his anti-Israel background.
Tlaib defended on Tuesday her meeting with Hamideh. “Right wing media targeting me again rather than focusing on the President’s reckless government shutdown,” she tweeted. “Yes, I am Muslim and Palestinian. Get over it.”
Right wing media targeting me again rather than focusing on the President’s reckless government shutdown. Yes, I am Muslim and Palestinian. Get over it.
Focus on the human impact of this disaster. #EndTheShutdown
— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) January 15, 2019
The partial government shutdown has lasted 27 days as U.S. President Donald Trump has said he will not sign government funding legislation unless it includes at least $5.6 billion for a border wall with Mexico.