Tipsheet

Anti-Israel Imam Supported by Texas House Democrat Running for Higher Office Continues to Raise Alarms

Rebecca Downs
Rebecca Downs  |  October 23, 2023 9:30 PM

Earlier this month, Townhall covered how Rep. Colin Allred's (D-TX) stated support for Israel and his call for President Joe Biden to freeze the $6 billion in funds to Iran was complicated by his previous history. This included not only his support for sending aid to Gaza--despite the possibility that money could go to Hamas--but his support for anti-Israeli Imam Omar Suleiman. 

From his official account in 2019, Allred posted a photo alongside the imam along with a note of praise. That post continues to haunt Allred, especially as Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), whom Allred is in the running for to challenge next November, has taken an increased notice. Although the senator posted a screenshot, the original post from the congressman's official X account still remains.

Initially, Allred came out with strong statements from both his official and campaign accounts in support of Israel and in condemnation of Hamas. But, he has yet to call out the anti-semitism and anti-Israeli sentiments from fellow House Democrats or Suleiman's rampant anti-semitism and anti-Israel talking points as shared to the imam's X account.

Suleiman's involvement with Congress hasn't just come in the form of past prayers on the House floor, when he was invited in 2019 by then Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX). In a particularly notorious repost, Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) posted Suleiman's claim that it was Israel whose rockets targeted a hospital in Gaza, when in reality it was a misfired Jihad rocket, as Townhall had been right about all along.

Not only has Tlaib not removed the post, she's been less than forthcoming when confronted by reporters over her stance on the Israel-Hamas war and gave remarks last week just before a pro-Hamas crowd stormed the Cannon House building. As of Monday evening, it appears she still believes this narrative to be true.

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As of Monday night, Allred has not posted to either his official X account or his political one denouncing members of the Squad for their anti-Israeli, anti-semitic behavior, nor has he addressed his past support for Suleiman.

Not only has Suleiman gone with the anti-Israel talking point that Israel is committing a genocide, but on Monday night he reposted President Joe Biden to claim that the United States was participating in a genocide as well.

"The United States remains committed to the genocide of Gaza," he posted with regards to a lack of a ceasefire. Squad members, including but not only Tlaib, have been vocal, unhinged even, in demanding a ceasefire.

Another problematic post from late last week called into question the narrative that Hamas beheaded and burned babies, or that they brutally raped women. This is how the official Israeli X account posted pictures of those murdered infants the week before, as Townhall also covered. 

Since then, reporters have also come forward to share that they reviewed footage of more murders, rape, and torture committed by Hamas, with many pointing out that those who would question the narrative are engaging in modern day Holocaust denial, or worse, "Holocaust legitimization."

As we covered earlier this month, Suleiman in no way lamented the loss of Israeli life on October 7, the day of the terrorist attack in question. In fact, on that day he even made anti-Israeli posts on that day, one of the worst which is embedded below.

The Senate race between Cruz and his Democratic opponent, likely Allred, is regarded by forecasters to "Likely Republican." When it comes to seats Republicans are defending, this looks to be one of the Senate races to watch, another being Florida's seat held by Sen. Rick Scott. The map for 2024 looks to be particularly favorable to the GOP for 2024, especially in comparison to 2022, when it comes to which seats each party is defending. There are numerous Democratic incumbents who are considered particularly vulnerable, especially and including in Montana, West Virginia, and Ohio.