An aspiring member of the “Squad” running in a New Jersey Democratic primary on Tuesday was denied security clearance for a White House event last year, as reported by multiple sources.
Mohamed Khairullah, who is running against veteran Rep. Bill Pascrell, expressed his belief that he is on a terror watchlist “with no due process” to clear his name after being denied entry to the event, as quoted in Politico.
According to police reports viewed by The Post, Kairullah was arrested for aggravated assault in 2002. He was accused of attacking his then-wife, who filed a police complaint against him. However, the domestic violence charge was eventually dropped.
Khairullah holds the position of mayor in Prospect Park, a town located outside the city of Paterson. It is noteworthy that Paterson boasts the highest concentration of Palestinian-Americans in the United States.
The Israel-Hamas war has become a pressing issue in the race, especially in the city of Passaic, where there is a significant Jewish population.
Khairullah, a Syrian native who relocated to the United States in 1980, strongly criticized Pascrell for supporting a $26.4 billion military aid package to Israel.
In a statement, Khairullah, the longest serving Muslim mayor in New Jersey, expressed his strong criticism of the Biden administration’s approach to the Israeli aggression and daily massacres against the Palestinians in Gaza. He firmly advocated for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, as well as an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestine.
“I am strongly opposed to using our tax dollars to support genocide. It is completely unacceptable that our elected officials are giving more importance to military aid instead of exploring diplomatic solutions that could potentially save countless lives.”
Recently, Khairullah, who is also an assistant principal at Passaic County Tech-Vocational Schools, shared some pictures on his Instagram. In these pictures, he can be seen alongside Rep. Jamaal Bowman from New York’s “Squad” and Rep. Ilhan Omar from Minnesota. It is worth noting that both Bowman and Omar have been vocal critics of Israel.
Pascrell, 87, is an Army veteran who previously served as the Mayor of Paterson before being elected to Congress in 1997. He stands by his decision to support Israel.
In a surprising turn of events, hundreds of anti-Israel protesters managed to bring the Philadelphia gay pride parade to a standstill. The protesters, who were vocal in their opposition to Israeli policies, marched alongside the parade and eventually blocked its path, causing a significant disruption.
The parade, which is known for its celebration of LGBTQ+ rights and inclusivity, was temporarily halted as organizers and law enforcement officials worked to address the situation. The protesters, holding signs and chanting slogans, expressed their dissatisfaction with Israel’s treatment of Palestinians and called for solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
Despite the disruption, many participants and supporters of the gay pride parade remained resilient, continuing to express their pride and commitment to the LGBTQ+ community. Some even engaged in peaceful discussions with the protesters, hoping to foster understanding and dialogue.
This incident serves as a reminder that social and political issues can intersect in unexpected ways. The LGBTQ+ community, known for its diversity and inclusivity, is not immune to disagreements and divisions when it comes to other causes and conflicts around the world.
In the end, the Philadelphia gay pride parade resumed its course, with participants reclaiming the spirit of unity and celebration. It serves as a powerful reminder that even in the face of disruptions, the LGBTQ+ community remains determined to stand up for their rights and forge meaningful connections with others.
“I supported the provision of new assistance to Israel to safeguard its people and defend against acts of terrorism, particularly in response to the recent terrorist attack by Iran,” he emphasized. “President Biden has rightly emphasized the importance of peace, which is our ultimate objective. We have been consistently calling for an immediate ceasefire and the safe release of all remaining hostages.”
He also expressed his support for providing aid to Gaza, emphasizing that achieving a ceasefire and freeing the hostages is crucial for establishing peace and ensuring the security of both permanent states.
According to pro-Israel activists, Khairullah has failed to condemn the invasion of Israel by Hamas on October 7th, which ultimately sparked the war in Gaza.
According to Rabbi Benjamin Kelsen, he believes that he supports Hamas.
Last Spring, before announcing his candidacy for Congress, Khairullah expressed his belief that he was being unfairly targeted. He shared an incident where he was denied access to the Muslim holiday Eid al-Fitr celebration at the White House, revealing that he had not been cleared by the Secret Service.
According to him, he was unjustly added to an FBI terror watch list.
During a recent interview, he expressed his frustration over an incident at JFK Airport where he was detained and questioned about terrorism after returning from a trip to Turkey. He believed that he was being targeted due to his Muslim identity, which deeply bothered him.
Khairullah chose not to provide a comment.
Pascrell is expected to win the election, as he has received strong support from the Democratic establishment on both sides of the Hudson. House Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-Brooklyn), Queens Representative Gregory Meeks, and Long Island Representative Tom Suozzi have all endorsed Pascrell.
Pascrell serves as one of the co-chairmen for the Congressional Law Enforcement Caucus.
