A prominent critic of Israel, who has contributed multiple times to Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s campaigns in Michigan, expressed sorrow over the death of a high-ranking Hamas official on Wednesday, declaring that his “sacrifice is not without purpose.”
Zahra Billoo, a former Women’s March leader who has faced backlash, and currently serves as the executive director of the San Francisco chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), shared her thoughts on social media following reports of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh’s assassination in Tehran, which led to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei pledging “revenge” for the event.
“Never claim that those who fall in the pursuit of Allah are dead—in truth, they live! But you are unaware,” Billoo stated in the initial part of her message, seemingly referencing the Quran.
“Tonight, we grieve for Ismail himself, but be assured his sacrifice is not without purpose,” she further elaborated, utilizing a contentious phrase often associated with anti-Israel sentiments, denoting the desire for the removal of Israel. “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”
IRANIAN LEADER KHAMENEI DECLARES ‘DUTY TO SEEK REVENGE’ FOLLOWING HANIYEH’S ASSASSINATION
Zahra Billoo, left, an associate of Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., expressed her sorrow over the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. (Fox News)
“I mourn the martyrs of yesterday because I recognize the dreadful consequences that result from attacking peace negotiators,” added Billoo in a subsequent thread on X, criticizing Israel for engaging in “genocide.”
Billoo’s initial comments generated immediate criticism from social media users, with some ridiculing her Quran reference and asserting that the Hamas leader is indeed “not alive.”
“It’s probably worth remembering this whenever you see the name CAIR,” remarked journalist Bari Weiss.
Having contributed nearly $1,000 across various Tlaib campaigns, Billoo has become a focal point of controversy in recent times due to her anti-Israel comments, which prompted the left-leaning Women’s March board to cut ties with her in 2019—just two days into her tenure. At the time, she published a lengthy Twitter thread blaming her removal on what she termed an “Islamophobic smear campaign” and “right-wing attacks.”
RASHIDA TLAIB UNDER FIRE FOR DISPLAYING ‘WAR CRIMINAL’ SIGN DURING NETANYAHU’S ADDRESS: ‘TOTAL DISGRACE’
Despite the backlash, Tlaib came to Billoo’s defense the day after the controversy erupted, tweeting, “#FreePalestine always sis! They won’t silence us for standing up against human rights abuses.”
“They will lie, smear our names, and label us anti this and that, but we will always advocate for humanity and stand with the truth. Stay resilient,” she added.
Several of Billoo’s provocative statements circulated on social media just after her appointment to the Women’s March board.
“If you endorse Israel, you are undoubtedly endorsing child killers,” Billoo wrote in a resurfaced 2014 post that gained traction prior to her ousting. In other posts, she condemned Zionism as “racism” and labeled herself a “proud anti-Zionist.”
“Upon reviewing the tweets in question, I acknowledge my passionate wording. While I might express some of my views differently today, I stand by what I said,” Billoo stated in 2019 regarding several of her contentious messages.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., and union advocates discuss free speech on college campuses at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Before the controversy surrounding the Women’s March, Billoo took a “selfie” with Tlaib outside her congressional office in Washington, D.C., in early 2019, stating, “Not all heroes wear capes; some, like Rep. [Tlaib], wear Congressional pins!”
“Great to see you, sister! I will always voice the truth to those in power because I have you in my corner,” Tlaib responded.
Billoo also attended a Tlaib fundraising event in California in 2021, as noted in a Facebook post.
This is not the first instance where a CAIR leader has sparked backlash online. In December, Nihad Awad, the executive director and co-founder of CAIR, expressed his approval of the Hamas invasion of Israel on October 7, claiming the Jewish state did not possess the right to defend itself since it is an “occupying power.”
“Yes, the residents of Gaza have a right to self-defense. However, Israel, as an occupying force, does not have that right,” he stated.
Nihad Awad, the Executive Director of CAIR, speaks at an event outside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. (Photo by Elif Ozturk/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Alongside her anti-Israel sentiments, Billoo has frequently criticized Memorial Day and has disparaged the U.S. military, questioning the rationale behind honoring fallen servicemen.
“Do you believe we should pay tribute to individuals who have committed war crimes?” she asked in one of her posts.
“I have not and will not celebrate #MemorialDay,” Billoo stated in an extensive 2019 thread. “No honor can be ascribed to participation in unjust wars.”
Tlaib’s office has not responded to Fox News Digital’s request for comments.
This report was contributed to by Fox News’ Aubrie Spady and Landon Mion.
