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Rep. Summer Lee pulls out of Council on American-Islamic Relations banquet this weekend
The congresswoman faced criticism because other speakers had made antisemitic comments
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette link: https://www.post-gazette.com/news/election-2024/2024/02/27/summer-lee-election-2024-israel-house/stories/202402270067
WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Summer Lee (D) PA-12 said Tuesday that she would not attend the banquet of an Islamic group after facing blowback from Democrats and Republicans over antisemitism allegations directed at some of those involved in the event.
Ms. Lee, D-Swissvale, said on the social media site X that she was unaware of some of the previous comments of others scheduled to speak alongside her at the Council on American-Islamic Relations Philadelphia chapter’s annual banquet this Saturday.
“To prevent the Muslim community from being the target of any more politically motivated Islamophobia and to ensure my Jewish and LGBTQ+ constituents know their concerns are heard, I will not be attending this event any longer,” she said.
Other scheduled speakers included former basketball player Ibrahim Jaaber, who called Jews “demons” and said they “cover their horns” in a post on X; and Islamic scholar Yasir Fahmy, who called Zionism a “sick and sadistic, ideological cult.” The background of these speakers were first reported by Jewish Insider.
- more at link -
Ms. Lee, D-Swissvale, said on the social media site X that she was unaware of some of the previous comments of others scheduled to speak alongside her at the Council on American-Islamic Relations Philadelphia chapter’s annual banquet this Saturday.
“To prevent the Muslim community from being the target of any more politically motivated Islamophobia and to ensure my Jewish and LGBTQ+ constituents know their concerns are heard, I will not be attending this event any longer,” she said.
Other scheduled speakers included former basketball player Ibrahim Jaaber, who called Jews “demons” and said they “cover their horns” in a post on X; and Islamic scholar Yasir Fahmy, who called Zionism a “sick and sadistic, ideological cult.” The background of these speakers were first reported by Jewish Insider.
Since getting elected to the U.S. House in November 2022 as one of the youngest Democrats, and the first Black to represent Pittsburgh, Ms. Lee has become tight with the progressive "Squad" as well as the Congressional Black Caucus. No problem there, but since last year, she has spoken against Israel in the media; she voted against the congressional bi-partisan non-binding resolution H. Res. 771 supporting Israel in the wake of the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.
