A vocal anti-Israel activist, who has made several donations to Rep. Rashida Tlaib's, D-Mich., House campaigns, mourned the assassination of a top Hamas leader on Wednesday, saying his 'martyrdom is not in vain.'
Zahra Billoo, the executive director of Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in San Francisco, expressed her sentiments on social media following reports of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh's assassination in Tehran, Iran. Billoo quoted the Quran, stating, 'Never say that those martyred in the cause of Allah are dead—in fact, they are alive! But you do not perceive it.'
She continued by using a controversial phrase often associated with anti-Israel activists, proclaiming, 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.' Billoo also criticized Israel, accusing them of 'genocide' and mourning the loss of peace negotiators.
Billoo's remarks sparked backlash on social media, with some users questioning her views and journalist Bari Weiss highlighting the connection to CAIR.
Billoo, known for her anti-Israel rhetoric, has been embroiled in controversy in recent years, leading to her removal from the Women's March board in 2019. Despite this, Rep. Tlaib publicly supported Billoo, emphasizing their shared stance on human rights violations.
Several of Billoo's past posts resurfaced, revealing her strong anti-Israel stance and criticism of Zionism. She stood by her words, acknowledging her passionate writing style.
CAIR has faced criticism before, with its executive director Nihad Awad making controversial remarks about Israel's right to self-defense. Billoo has also been vocal about her views on Memorial Day, questioning the honoring of fallen soldiers.
These incidents have highlighted the ongoing debate surrounding anti-Israel sentiments and the role of organizations like CAIR in shaping public discourse.
