Representative Rashida Tlaib (D., Mich.) wrote an op-ed in 2006 for Louis Farrakhan’s digital publication Final Call, which routinely publishes anti-Semitic content, according to a new report from freelance journalist Jeryl Bier.
Tlaib argues in the op-ed, which is dated October 4, 2006 and was resurfaced by Bier, that illegal immigrants shouldn’t face criminal charges or be deported for violating immigration law.
Farrakhan, the leader of the Nation of Islam, has long been known as an outspoken anti-Semite. In February 2006, months before Tlaib’s piece was published, he accused Jews of promoting homosexuality in order to harm the African-American community.
“These false Jews promote the filth of Hollywood that is seeding the American people and the people of the world and bringing you down in moral strength. . . . It’s the wicked Jews, the false Jews, that are promoting lesbianism, homosexuality. It’s the wicked Jews, false Jews, that make it a crime for you to preach the word of God, then they call you homophobic,” he said during his Saviour’s Day speech on February 26, 2006.
Since the time of Tlaib’s writing, Final Call has published numerous articles espousing anti-Semitic conspiracies with headlines such as “Racist Rabbis: A Long History of Jewish Race-Haters,” “The Secret Relationship Between Rappers and Jews,” and “Solving The Mystery of Jewish Financial Success,” among others. Tlaib has not published in the outlet since her initial 2006 column.
Tlaib has faced significant criticism since her election over her ties to anti-Semitic Palestinian activists and her support for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement, which seeks to put financial pressure on Israel. In January, she attended a dinner with Palestinian activist Abbas Hamideh, who has referred to Israel as a “terrorist identity” and likened the state’s underlying ideology to that of ISIS.
Additionally, one of Tlaib’s top fundraisers, Maher Abdel-qader, has repeatedly espoused anti-Semitic tropes online. Abdel-qader also created the Facebook group “Palestinian American Congress,” which often hosts anti-Semitic discussions and which Tlaib is a member of, the Daily Caller reported last month.
Tlaib has not commented on her relationship with Abdel-qader since the Caller‘s report was published.