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Rashida Tlaib endorses leader of group with terror ties for WA Legislature

Rashida Tlaib
Rashida Tlaib

Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), a leading member of the far-left “Squad,” has thrown her support behind Imraan Siddiqi in a contentious 2026 Washington State House race—an endorsement that is already raising serious concerns given both figures’ records on Israel, antisemitism, and associations with organizations and people that have ties to terror.

According to JNS, Siddiqi, the executive director of the Washington chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-WA), is running in the state’s 32nd legislative district, seeking to unseat incumbent Democrat Lauren Davis, who has held the seat since 2019.

“Proud to have the endorsement of my sister Rashida Tlaib, one of the true, uncompromising champions of our time,” Siddiqi wrote, embracing the backing of one of Congress’ most polarizing figures.

Tlaib’s endorsement immediately drew scrutiny, given her long history of inflammatory rhetoric and antisemitism. The Michigan congresswoman was formally censured by the House after promoting rhetoric that endorsed the destruction of Israel. She has repeatedly refused to clearly condemn Hamas, even after the terrorist group’s October 7 massacre that left over 1,200 Israelis dead and hundreds kidnapped.

Tlaib has also faced backlash for her conduct during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address, where she appeared to shout “KKK” during a moment when lawmakers were chanting “USA.”

Her record extends beyond rhetoric. Israel barred Tlaib from entering the country in 2019 over concerns she planned to meet with extremist groups tied to terror and anti-Israel activism. She has been photographed with individuals alleged to have ties to Hezbollah and has spoken at events linked to organizations with connections to extremist causes.

Siddiqi, now benefiting from Tlaib’s backing, brings his own history of controversial statements—many centered on Israel and the war against Hamas. He previously ran for Congress in Washington’s 8th District in 2024, losing in the Democratic primary to Rep. Kim Schrier (D-WA), who is Jewish. Following Schrier’s vote to censure Tlaib over antisemitic remarks, Siddiqi blasted her for what he called “failed moral leadership.”

In his role at CAIR-WA, Siddiqi has repeatedly accused Israel of committing “genocide” and labeled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “war criminal.” He has also pushed for tech companies to divest from what he calls support for Israel’s military operations.

Perhaps most notably, Siddiqi drew outrage after Hamas’ October 7 terrorist attacks when he lashed out at fellow Democrats who condemned the massacre, telling them to “STFU.” Since running for office, he appears to have scrubbed many of his most controversial comments from social media.

In 2024, Siddiqi appeared on a panel alongside Linda Sarsour, who was previously removed from leadership roles in the Women’s March amid accusations of antisemitism. The event included figures tied to pro-Hamas activism and anti-Israel demonstrations.

Further raising concerns are Siddiqi’s ties to CAIR, an organization that has long faced scrutiny over alleged links to terrorist groups. CAIR was named as an unindicted co-conspirator in the Holy Land Foundation case, the largest terrorism financing trial in US history, which resulted in convictions for funneling money to Hamas.

The organization has come under renewed scrutiny following Hamas’ October 7 attack. CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad sparked widespread condemnation after stating he was “happy” to see the attacks, comments that led the Biden administration to sever ties with the group.

At a recent anniversary gala, CAIR honored Mahmoud Khalil, a radical activist involved in anti-Israel campus protests at Columbia University that included building takeovers and the distribution of Hamas propaganda.

Lawmakers have taken notice. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) has called for an IRS investigation into CAIR’s nonprofit status, citing what he described as “deep ties to terrorist organizations.” Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and others have also pressed the Treasury Department to investigate the group’s funding sources.

The Anti-Defamation League has been blunt in its assessment, stating that “antisemitism is in the DNA of CAIR,” while investigative journalist Steve Emerson has described the organization as a “propaganda arm of Hamas.”

Under Siddiqi’s leadership, CAIR-WA has also taken positions that align with extremist narratives. The group opposed efforts to label the slogan “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” as antisemitic in Washington state school materials, despite the phrase’s documented use by Hamas as a call for Israel’s elimination.

Following the October 7 attacks, Siddiqi’s chapter did not issue any condemnations of the massacre of Israeli civilians. Instead, the group promoted rallies that drew sympathy toward Hamas-aligned causes.

Despite this record, Siddiqi has secured endorsements from several Washington Democrats, including state Reps. Shaun Scott, Cindy Ryu, and Julia Reed. Rep Darya Farivar praised Tlaib’s endorsement of Siddiqi over a Democratic colleague, posting in response to the announcement, “Love, love this.”

Farivar has her own history of anti-Israel activism, including proposing anti-Israel bills this legislative cycle. The Iranian-American member of the Legislature has a long public record of hostility toward the Jewish state, repeatedly framing Israel not as a democratic ally confronting terrorism, but as a primary source of violence in the Middle East.  She has repeatedly spoken at CAIR’s events.

Tlaib’s endorsement now places the race squarely in the spotlight, as voters weigh whether a candidate backed by one of the most controversial figures in Congress, and tied to an organization under federal scrutiny, should represent them in Olympia.

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