Congressman Jamal Bowman and his campaign were fooled by a fake “Chief Rabbi of Gaza” parody social media account.
The “Rabbi Linda Goldstein” fake
The rabbi messaged Bowman about sponsoring a fundraiser for the Democratic primary campaign.
Under Hamas rules, Jews are not allowed into Gaza, and the only people currently there are hostages and IDF soldiers trying to rescue Jews, but it was clear when Bowman began responding to the report that I didn’t understand that point.
Bowman, a member of the far-left House of Representatives “split,” has become one of the most vocal critics of Israel and defenders of Hamas in Congress.
He is currently embroiled in a fierce primary battle with Westchester County Executive George Latimer, with polls suggesting Latimer could lose in a landslide.
On April 11, Mr. Goldstein sent Mr. Bowman a private X message saying, “I really hope you win. I would love to host a fundraiser with you.” The message received a reply from the lawmaker’s account just 30 minutes later.
“Thank you. How can I contact you?” Bowman asked. Mr. Goldstein assured Mr. Bowe that he had raised hundreds of thousands of dollars so far, adding, “My anti-Zionist community cannot wait to help.”
“Hello Ravi, this is a Bowman staff member. A member of our finance team will follow up with you,” another direct message from Bowman’s account said. “Thank you.”
Goldstein has gained a cult following for his quirky demeanor as a rabbi who loves Palestine.
“I’m organizing an aid convoy to the @Columbia campus,” Goldstein said. posted last week. “What we need is a glamping tent. A volunteer barista. Oat milk; keffiyeh. A Canada Goose jacket. And Aro leggings.”
In other tweets she slams Passover As Israel’s “genocide” against Egyptians; posed with a Photoshopped terrorist in front of a “menorah of justice” made of rockets;
She urged Hamas fighters: practice social distancing Inside the tunnel of fear.
The account is run by a pro-Israel lawyer named Michael, who declined to provide his last name.
“Anti-Semitism is a disease of low IQ,” Michael quipped to the Post when asked about the exchange.
A representative for Bowman dismissed the exchange as “standard staff response to direct messages.”
