Top Hamas leader assassinated, Tlaib ally mourns: 'His martyrdom is not in vain'

A supporter of anti-Israel views, who has given money to Rep. Rashida Tlaib's campaigns, expressed grief over the death of a Hamas leader on Wednesday, stating that his sacrifice was not in vain.

The former leader of the Women's March and the executive director of CAIR in San Francisco, Zahra Billoo, posted on social media after news broke that Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran, Iran, and Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei vowed "revenge" for the attack.

Billoo stated in her post, "Do not say that those who were martyred for Allah are deceased; in reality, they are alive. However, you do not realize it," citing the Quran.

"Tonight, we remember Ismail's sacrifice, knowing that his death was not in vain," she said, using a controversial phrase that anti-Israel activists claim means the end of Israel. "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free."

"Billoo accused Israel of genocide in a follow-up X thread, stating that he mourns yesterday's martyrs because he can see the horrific path killing peace negotiators leads to."

Immediately after Billoo posted, social media users responded with criticism, with some making fun of the Quran quote and claiming that Hamas leader is "definitely not alive."

Remember this, too, when you encounter the name CAIR, advised journalist Bari Weiss.

Billoo, who has given nearly $1,000 to Tlaib campaigns, has been a source of controversy due to her anti-Israel rhetoric. This led to the Women's March board cutting ties with her in 2019 after only two days on the board. In response, Billoo posted a 25-post Twitter thread, claiming her removal was due to an "Islamophobic smear campaign" and "right-wingers."

Tlaib defended Billoo the day after his ouster, posting on social media, "#FreePalestine always sis! They won't silence us for speaking out against human rights violations."

"They may lie, smear our names, and label us as anti-something, but we will always stand for humanity and have the truth on our side. Stay strong," she said.

Billoo's controversial posts were being circulated on social media after she was appointed as a Women's March board member.

"Billoo, in a 2014 post, wrote that supporting Israel meant supporting "baby killers." She also described Zionism as "racism" and identified herself as a "proud anti-Zionist.""

Billoo acknowledged in 2019 that she wrote passionately in response to tweets in question. Although she may have phrased her content differently today, she still stands by her words.

In early 2019, Billoo posed for a "selfie" with Tlaib outside her Washington, D.C., congressional office and stated, "Some sheros wear Congressional pins instead of capes, like Rep. Tlaib."

Tlaib replied, "It's great to see you, sis! I'll always speak truth to power because you've got my back."

A Facebook post stated that Billoo attended a Tlaib fundraising event in California in 2021.

Nihad Awad, the executive director and co-founder of CAIR, sparked controversy on social media last December when he expressed his happiness over the Hamas invasion of Israel and argued that the Jewish state had no right to self-defense because it is an "occupying power."

"Yes, the people of Gaza have the right to self-defense, while Israel, as an occupying power, does not have that right," he stated.

Billoo has consistently criticized Israel, Memorial Day, and the U.S. military, arguing that fallen soldiers should not be honored.

"Should we honor individuals who perpetrate war crimes?" she inquired in a different post.

"Billoo posted in a 2019 thread that they did not and do not celebrate #MemorialDay because there is no honor to be earned through participating in dishonorable wars."

Planet Chronicle Digital did not receive a response from Tlaib's office when requested a comment.

Planet Chronicle' Aubrie Spady and Landon Mion contributed to this report.