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ADL calls on Tlaib to ‘clarify’ meeting with anti-Israel activist Abbas Hamideh

“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.”

Executive director of the Palestine Right to Return Coalition Abbas Hamideh poses with Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) at a swearing-in ceremony and private dinner in Detroit on Jan. 12, 2019. Credit: Abbas Hamideh/Twitter.
Executive director of the Palestine Right to Return Coalition Abbas Hamideh poses with Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) at a swearing-in ceremony and private dinner in Detroit on Jan. 12, 2019. Credit: Abbas Hamideh/Twitter.

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.

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