SELECT LANGUAGE BELOW

House candidate from the Democratic Party attributes media to the negative response over anti-Israel comments.

House candidate from the Democratic Party attributes media to the negative response over anti-Israel comments.

A Democratic candidate for the House has sparked controversy after suggesting that “American Zionists” should be imprisoned. In response to criticism, the candidate, Maureen Galindo, believes that both journalists and her own party mistakenly think she aims to create “dissidents.”

Last week, Galindo, who is a sex therapist from South Texas, suggested via Instagram that federal detention centers be repurposed for the incarceration of “American Zionists.” She also accused her opponent, Johnny Garcia, of the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, of being part of a scheme to put Jews and Mexicans in camps through “Zionist human trafficking networks.”

In a social media video, Galindo claimed journalists had misinterpreted her words and mentioned that she had received threats and hate mail since her comments. She indicated that her district’s issues regarding ICE facilities were being misconstrued.

She expressed regret for possibly missing messages from journalists amidst what she described as a flood of threats. “I’m in Texas, I know about MAGA. This is worse than MAGA because MAGA and Zionism have a religious takeover of the government,” she stated, adding that she never advocated for concentration camps but rather wanted to close detention centers and address alleged human trafficking by billionaire Zionists.

Galindo, however, reiterated her call for the incarceration of wealthy American Zionists, claiming they support a “genocidal prison system.” She also stated that the term “concentration camp” was coined by an anonymous journalist who she feels wants her dead.

Galindo later criticized the DCCC, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, for backing Garcia and suggested his role was akin to a spokesperson for what she deemed “the deadliest prison in all of Texas.”

Garcia, in a response video, declared that Galindo’s remarks were unacceptable within the Democratic Party and public discourse. Galindo addressed journalists directly in a post on her media page, denying ever wishing for anyone to go to a concentration camp.

Her campaign expressed an intention to renovate the Kearns ICE facility for “billionaire Zionists” to practice their faith freely, asserting it could provide employment opportunities locally.

Galindo emerged as a surprise winner over Garcia in the initial primary, leading to a runoff between the two. The district also involves incumbent Rep. Gregorio Casar, who is seeking a different seat amid redistricting changes.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and DCCC Chair Rep. Susan DelBene criticized the Republican support for Galindo, labeling her as an anti-Semite. Jewish Democratic officials, along with figures like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, also voiced their disapproval of Galindo’s comments.

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Telegram
WhatsApp

Related News