U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign lied when it sought to distance Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the vice presidential candidate, from an imam who promoted Adolf Hitler, the Republican Jewish Coalition claimed on Tuesday.
Walz called Asad Zaman, of the Muslim American Society of Minnesota, a “master teacher,” although the imam promoted a movie about the Nazi leader and praised Hamas, the Washington Examiner reported.
The Harris campaign told Jewish Insider that Walz and Zaman “do not have a personal relationship,” and that the governor “strongly condemns Hamas terrorism.” (JNS sought comment from the Harris campaign.)
“It is an outrage to the American Jewish community that Tim Walz would champion Hitler-promoting cleric Asad Zaman of the Muslim American Society of Minnesota,” stated Matt Brooks, the CEO of the coalition. “On Oct. 7, 2023, as Israel was suffering the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, Mr. Zaman disgustingly asserted that he ‘stands in solidarity with Palestinians against Israeli attacks.’ Appallingly, under Tim Walz, Minnesota has awarded over $100,000 in funding to Zaman’s Israel-hating organization.”
Brooks accused the Harris campaign of lying about Walz’s and Zaman’s relationship when it said the two had no personal relationship.
“At a time of spiking antisemitism here at home and as Israel faces an existential war for survival, it is essential for the American Jewish community to have confidence in our leaders—and it is clear that we cannot trust Kamala Harris and Tim Walz,” Brooks stated. “Their priorities are not our priorities, and the American people will reject their radicalism and extremism in November.”
Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) wrote that “as Minnesota’s governor, Tim Walz—on at least five occasions—hosted a Muslim cleric who celebrated Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack. Harris/Walz is the pro-Hamas ticket.”
“Why did Tim Walz lie about his obviously friendly relationship with a Minnesota Muslim cleric who promoted Hamas and Hitler?” wrote Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-N.Y.). “Weird—and disqualifying.”
