On Saturday, an anti-Semitic gunman killed 11 and wounded one at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pa. Americans should unite in condemning anti-Semitism, but many prominent Democrats have defended, teamed up with, and been photographed with one of the most virulent anti-Semites in modern history.
The Federalist’s Sean Davis argued that mainstream media outlets “have suddenly characterized all criticism of George Soros as ‘anti-Semitism,'” when it is not, because “they’re desperate to avoid discussing the fact that Democrats have actively encouraged the most vile out-and-proud anti-Semites for years.”
Here are five photos of prominent Democrats with Louis Farrakhan, the leader of the Nation of Islam — a man who recently compared Jews to termites.
1. Keith Ellison.
YouTube screenshot with Keith Ellison and Louis Farrakhan.
To his credit, Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), the deputy chairman of the Democratic Party and the Democratic candidate for Minnesota attorney general, disavowed Farrakhan in a debate this month. However, in doing so, he falsely claimed that he had not supported Farrakhan since the 1990s, a claim the Washington Post‘s fact-checker gave “four Pinocchios.”
As the Daily Caller’s Peter Hasson reported, Ellison was photographed at an event with Farrakhan dating from 2010. Footage of that event is still available on YouTube.
2. Rev. Al Sharpton.
Reverend Al Sharpton, left, and the Supreme Minister and National Representative of the Nation of Islam Louis Farrakhan arrive to the memorial service for Michael Jackson at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Tuesday, July 7, 2009. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, Pool)
Rev. Al Sharpton, an MSNBC host and former White House advisor for President Barack Obama, shook hands with Farrakhan at the memorial service for Michael Jackson in 2009.
Sharpton allegedly inflamed tensions at the 1991 Crown Heights riot, where black youths beat Jews, killed a Jewish student from Australia, and chanted, “Kill the Jew” and “Get the Jews out.” In this climate, Sharpton reportedly said, “If the Jews want to get it on, tell them to pin their yarmulkes back and come over to my house.”
In March, Sharpton’s National Action Network organized a protest in favor of Farrakhan with Black Lives Matter and the New Black Panther Party.
3. Eric Holder.
Twitter screenshot.
Eric Holder, attorney general under former president Barack Obama, posed with Louis Farrakhan at Aretha Franklin’s funeral last month. The Nation of Islam posted the photo on Twitter.
Holder has said he is considering a presidential run in 2020. Earlier this month, he subverted former first lady Michelle Obama’s mantra — “When they go low, we go high” — saying, “When they go low, we kick ’em.”
Shane Mekeland, a Republican candidate for Minnesota’s state House, blamed Holder, along with other Democrats, for inspiring the incivility that led a man to punch him out of nowhere, leaving him with a concussion and the inability to campaign outside without getting a headache.
4. Maxine Waters.
YouTube screenshots of Maxine Waters and Louis Farrakhan.
In February of this year, a YouTube video revealed Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) warmly embracing Farrakhan, following a 2009 speech in which the Nation of Islam leader defended Palestinian suicide bombers. The original video from 2009 can be seen here.
In the speech, Farrakhan declared, “The Palestinians have nothing to defend themselves with, so they’re so exhausted and exasperated, think about that, strapping bombs to themselves, making themselves a weapon.”
When Politico reported that Democrats denounced Farrakhan, a representative of Waters did not respond to requests for comment.
5. Bill Clinton.
Louis Farrakhan, from left, Rev. Al Sharpton, Rev. Jesse Jackson and former President Bill Clinton attend the funeral service for Aretha Franklin at Greater Grace Temple, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
In August, former president Bill Clinton attended Aretha Franklin’s funeral. In the front row, he sat feet away from Farrakhan.
Chelsea Clinton denounced Farrakhan on Twitter following this event, and Aretha Franklin’s family had every right to invite whomever they wished to the funeral. However, Clinton could have stipulated that he would not share the stage with such a notorious anti-Semite.
6. Barack Obama.
The photo that never saw the light of day: Obama with Farrakhan in 2005 https://t.co/nUrPbYVy0q pic.twitter.com/MrjqRdJy9G
— Talking Points Memo (@TPM) January 25, 2018
Last, but certainly not least, former president Barack Obama posed with Farrakhan for a photo in 2005 — a photo that was kept secret until his presidency had ended.
Some have suggested that this photo would have prevented the Obama presidency.
Americans need to unite against anti-Semitism, and demand a high standard from their politicians. Each of these six Democrats must constantly disavow Farrakhan, and Americans should not let them off the hook. Enough is enough.
Follow the author of this article on Twitter at @Tyler2ONeil.
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