Women’s March cofounder Linda Sarsour promoted an antisemitic tweet this week about the Israeli Defense Force’s (IDF) help in rescuing survivors from the building collapse in Florida.
“I really don’t understand the [Israeli Defense Force’s] involvement in rescue attempts of people tragically crushed under buildings in Miami. Their expertise is crushing buildings with people in them, not rescuing them,” said a tweet retweeted and apparently endorsed by Sarsour.
After facing backlash on Twitter, Sarsour appeared to be appalled at the idea users were offended by her endorsement of insults to those willing to help save innocent lives, and she deleted the tweet and announced she would be taking a break from Twitter for “a few days.”
“I’ll be back in a few days. This site is a place where those with no morals or values can take someone’s tweet & claim higher ground with no reflection or retrospection on the atrocities and injustice they support on a daily basis,” Sarsour said.
Israel’s former representative to the United Nations Danny Danon responded to Sarsour’s hate on Twitter, reminding his followers that it is nothing new. He tweeted, “I do not expect those who worship violence and death to understand those who value life. The IDF, Israel’s army, the most moral army in the world, will always stand by our allies in times of need.”
Sarsour has a history of antisemitic comments and supports the Boycott, Divest, and Sanction (BDS) movement which aims to cripple Israel. Last year, Sarsour was allowed to speak at the 2020 Democratic National Convention, prompting President Biden to condemn her.
“Joe Biden has been a strong supporter of Israel and a vehement opponent of anti-Semitism his entire life, and he obviously condemns her views and opposes BDS, as does the Democratic platform,” Biden spokesman Andrew Bates said.
