Biden campaign under fire after attacking prominent women’s march organizer over BDS support
Biden's attack could probably affect the Democratic Party's chances of winning Michigan in November.
Washington (QNN)- The campaign of the Democratic National Convention’s (DNC) presidential nominee, Joe Biden, has been under fire for attacking progressive Palestinian-American women’s march organizer Linda Sarsour after her appearance on a panel of Muslim delegates during the convention.
“She has no role in the campaign whatsoever,” Biden campaign spokesperson Andrew Bates said in a statement Tuesday night. “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.”
Bates referred to language in the party’s 2020 platform (pdf), which reads in part, “We oppose any effort to unfairly single out and delegitimize Israel, including at the United Nations or through the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions [BDS] Movement.”
The controversy started after right-wing media outlets and Trump’s campaign seized on Sarsour’s appearance, producing videos and news stories accusing her of antisemitism and slamming Democrats for giving her a platform.
Progressive leaders slammed Biden’s campaign and the Democratic Party, which both served to exacerbate frustrations of the party’s left.
“I am so sick and tired of folks going after Linda Sarsour and other Palestinian activists for speaking the truth about oppression and injustice,” Rep. Rashia Tlaib (D-Minn.) tweeted Wednesday. “You don’t get it yet. We don’t stop until everyone is free. We will always outwork the hate.”
I couldn't agree more. I am so sick and tired of folks going after @lsarsour and other Palestinian activists for speaking the truth about oppression and injustice. You don't get it yet. We don't stop until everyone is free. We will always outwork the hate. https://t.co/Y0AIY2cPcB
— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) August 20, 2020
Jewish Medicare for All activist and featured Democratic Convention speaker Ady Barkan tweeted his disdain for the party’s apparent embrace of anti-Semitic allegations against Sarsour.
“Advocacy of a boycott or sanctions against Israel is not anti-Semitism,” Barkan wrote. “Weaponizing the charge of ‘anti-Semitism’ to silence criticism of Israel is despicable… The Biden campaign must retract and apologize.”
Just now seeing that the Biden campaign issued a vile and dishonest statement against my beloved sister @lsarsour.
Linda is a fierce advocate for justice and freedom, and a leading antiracist and organizer against antisemitism.
The Biden campaign must retract and apologize. https://t.co/4qZIHDL2tL
— Ady Barkan (@AdyBarkan) August 19, 2020
Several organizations also spoke out in defence of Sarsour including the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the Arab American Institute (AAI), the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) and Emgage, Jewish Voice for Peace and many others.
Sarsour said she knows how to organise and excite Muslim and Arab voters that the former vice president will need in Michigan and other states.
In remarks broadcast on social media, the activist said that by denouncing her for supporting the Boycott, Divestment and Sanction (BDS) movement, the Biden campaign antagonised Arab, Muslim and progressive voters who share her views in advocating for Palestinian human rights.
She added that Bates’s remarks were a “big mistake”.
“I’m over here chilling because I don’t have any white managers for anybody to call. I did not have a role in the campaign for anyone to claim that I don’t have a role”, Sarsour said.
