Posts shared within the group following Hamas’ attack, which left over 1,200 Israeli civilians dead and hundreds more taken hostage, include rhetoric praising the terror group and imagery depicting Israeli victims.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) is a member of a secret Facebook group where users have posted content appearing to glorify Hamas in the wake of its October 7 terrorist massacre in Israel.
The “Squad” member belongs to the “Palestinian American Congress,” a private, non-searchable Facebook group hidden from the public, according to Fox News. Posts shared within the group following Hamas’ attack, which left over 1,200 Israeli civilians dead and hundreds more taken hostage, include rhetoric praising the terror group and imagery depicting Israeli victims.
In one post shortly after the massacre, a member wrote, “We don't want to throw you in the sea...we want you to ride it back from where you came,” alongside an image of an elderly Israeli woman being held captive by a Hamas terrorist. Another post, days later, celebrated the “achievements” of the “resistance,” referencing dead Israeli soldiers while sharing a photo of a Hamas terrorist.
Other members used the group to attack American media coverage, dismiss Hamas’ atrocities, and frame the massacre as justified retaliation. One post claimed the massacre was carried out by “the grand kids of the refugees… attacking the grand kids of the colonists.”
The group is run by Palestinian activist Maher Abdel-Qader, a longtime Tlaib ally with a documented history of antisemitic rhetoric. Abdel-Qader has previously shared content describing Jews as “satanic” and casting doubt on whether six million Jews were killed in the Holocaust. He also served as chairman of Tlaib’s finance committee during her 2018 campaign, has donated thousands to her campaigns, and has appeared alongside her at multiple events. Tlaib publicly honored him during her campaign, presenting him with a medal in recognition of his support.
Since Oct. 7, 2023, Abdel-Qader has continued to post inflammatory content, including falsely claiming that Israel was responsible for a deadly explosion at a Gaza hospital, an assertion later debunked by intelligence reports pointing to a failed rocket launch from the Palestinian side. Tlaib also amplified the claim.
Tlaib’s history of Jew hatred is well-documented, including being censured by the US House of Representatives over her antisemitic comments.
Abdel-Qader has also supported progressive Democrats, including Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO), helping organize fundraising efforts and political events. He has additionally been linked to other prominent Democrats including Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison.
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