US President-elect Donald Trump is encouraging a Florida lawmaker who celebrated the killing of a US citizen by the Israeli navy to run for Congress.
Trump stated in a social media put up on Sunday that if state Sen. Randy Wonderful decides to hunt a congressional seat in Florida, the state lawmaker would have his “full and complete assist.”
Wonderful, who has a protracted historical past of anti-Muslim statements, sparked outrage earlier this 12 months when he appeared to reward the killing of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, an American activist who was shot lifeless by the Israeli navy within the occupied West Financial institution.
“He throws stones and will get shot. One much less #Muslimterrorist. #FireAway,” Wonderful wrote in a social media put up in September.
Eygi was collaborating in a peaceable protest when he was shot. Each Israel and the outgoing administration of US President Joe Biden have dominated out his assassination as an accident.
Wonderful’s put up, which X (previously Twitter) deemed to violate its violent speech coverage, is a part of a protracted record of inflammatory, anti-Palestinian and Islamophobic feedback from the state lawmaker.
“Good is not any good friend of anybody besides fascism,” Rasha Mubarak, a Palestinian-American activist from Florida, advised Al Jazeera.
“Trump’s endorsement indicators a deepening alignment with the violent and fascist parts throughout the capitalist class, whose pursuits are served by sowing division and perpetuating the rule of imperialism.”
Wonderful typically proclaims that America has a “Muslim downside.” In 2021, when advised by a social media person that Israel was forcing Palestinians from their houses, he responded with: “#BlowThemUp.”
In keeping with the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), he additionally despatched a non-public message to a Florida resident telling him to “Go blow your self!”
Two years earlier, Wonderful referred to Jews who assist Palestinian rights as “Judenrat,” Nazi collaborators.
Final 12 months, Wonderful argued that concern of Muslims is justified.
“Whereas many Muslims aren’t terrorists, they’re radicals, not the mainstream,” he wrote in a put up on X. “Now’s the time to inform the reality, to not bathe in political correctness that may kill us.”
Wonderful’s workplace didn’t instantly reply to Al Jazeera’s response searching for remark.
Over time, CAIR has referred to as on Florida lawmakers to censure and penalize Wonderful, together with for his latest feedback relating to Eygi’s homicide.
“We’re hard-pressed to think about one other time in fashionable American historical past when an elected official overtly celebrated the homicide of an American by a international authorities and inspired extra such murders,” CAIR deputy government director Edward stated in Could. Ahmed Mitchell.
“Randy Wonderful has made it clear what his priorities are, and it’s not the American folks. “We urge the Florida Home of Representatives to censure him for this hateful and anti-American tirade.”
Regardless of celebrating the killing of an American girl by a international navy, Trump described Wonderful as an “America First patriot.”
He referred to as on him to run for the seat of Congressman Mike Waltz, who will go away his put up to serve within the White Home as nationwide safety adviser.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will name a particular election to fill the emptiness subsequent 12 months.
Wonderful, who beforehand served within the Florida Home of Representatives and was just lately elected to the state Senate, has not introduced his candidacy, however welcomed Trump’s assertion.
“It might be the dignity of my life to be considered one of your foot troopers,” he wrote, addressing the incoming president. “Your confidence is overwhelming and I’ll have information to share quickly!”
Trump himself has often unfold anti-Muslim rhetoric, together with saying that the Koran, Islam’s holy guide, teaches a “very detrimental atmosphere” and proclaiming that “Islam hates us.”
He additionally imposed a journey ban on a number of Muslim-majority nations throughout his first time period as president.
However this 12 months, the previous president softened his tone as he courted Arab and Muslim voters, promising to convey “peace” to the Center East.
Trump’s endorsement of Wonderful, in addition to a few of his staunchly pro-Israel picks for his Cupboard, highlights the depth of his alliance with far-right forces.
