In a recent surge of antisemitism across the nation, a member of a Maryland task force aimed at combating hate crimes has come under fire for publishing numerous antisemitic social media posts. Zainab Chaudry, an anti-Israel activist and director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ (CAIR) Maryland office, made these posts in the weeks following the brutal Hamas attack on October 7th, which resulted in the deaths of more than 1,200 people, including children and babies.
Chaudry’s posts included claims that the babies brutally murdered in the attack were “fake” and compared the nation of Israel to Nazi Germany. One post showed photos of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, with one image showing it lit up with the Israeli flag in solidarity with Israel following the attack, and another from a ceremony in 1936 when it was decorated with the flag of Nazi Germany during the Olympics that year.
Furthermore, Chaudry suggested that the mere existence of Israel as a nation was the cause of the ongoing war. She shared an image stating “it all started in 1948,” referring to the year Israel was founded as a nation. Other posts showed Chaudry sharing a quote celebrating “martyred Palestinians” and citing an Islamic prophesy that mentioned an Israeli city north of the Gaza Strip.
Despite these troubling posts, Chaudry has retained her position on the Maryland Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention, a position for which she was nominated by Democrat Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown. The commission’s goal is to address hate crime incidents across Maryland and promote understanding of diverse perspectives in a positive and meaningful way.
When reached for comment, Chaudry defended her posts by claiming that the “Nazi post” was originally shared “by a close Jewish friend.” She went on to accuse the Israeli government of wanting to commit genocide against Palestinians and condemned Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right, racist government for making genocidal threats towards the Palestinian people.
Chaudry’s remarks have sparked outrage and concern among the Jewish community and supporters of Israel. Many are calling for her removal from the task force, citing her antisemitic views and divisive rhetoric.
It is important to note that these antisemitic posts come at a time of heightened tensions between Israel and Hamas, as well as a rise in antisemitic incidents across the nation. The Maryland Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention must address these concerns and ensure that all members uphold their mission of promoting peace and tolerance.
CAIR, the organization Chaudry represents, has not yet provided a comment on the matter. It remains to be seen how the commission and Maryland officials will respond to these troubling revelations.
As the nation continues to grapple with issues of hate and discrimination, it is crucial to condemn all forms of bigotry, including antisemitism, Islamophobia, and racism. Dialogue and understanding are essential in fostering a more inclusive and tolerant society.
