A group of anti-Israel protesters descended on the home of Indian American congressman Shri Thanedar over the weekend blowing car horns and screaming to punish him for his “silence” on the deaths of Palestinians in Gaza amid the Israel-Hamas war.
“This is my home at 3 AM,” Thanedar, a Democratic House member from Michigan, wrote in a post on X, including a video that showed cars lined in the street outside his home, an individual waving a cloth-like material, and others screaming through megaphones. The video appeared to be posted by a supporter of the protesters, according to Fox News.
“You are complicit in the bombing of Gaza… Your silence is violence. Your silence is abhorrent, and we will not let you sleep!” one protester can be heard screaming. There will be a price to pay,” the protester added before becoming largely inaudible.
Another protester in the video is shown holding a sign that read, “20,000 GAZANS DEAD! WAKE THE F–K UP SHRI!!!”
This is my home at 3 AM Sunday night. https://t.co/B7LIc98nvV
— Shri Thanedar (@ShriThanedar) December 18, 2023
Thanedar has taken a staunchly supportive approach to Israel following the Oct 7 Hamas attack on Israel that claimed more than 1,200 lives. He even ended his relationship with the Democratic Socialists of America over its response to the attack.
READ: Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy clash over Israel before debate (August 22, 2023)
“After the brutal terrorist attacks on Israel, which included the indiscriminate murder, rape, and kidnapping of innocent men, women, and children, I can no longer associate with an organization unwilling to call out terrorism in all forms,” Thanedar posted on X at the time.
He has also expressed his strong support for Israel on his campaign website, including vowing to “defend Israel’s right to exist and to thrive.”
“In this time of great international uncertainty, it is now more important than ever before to reaffirm as a people, and as a nation, our unequivocal support for the state of Israel, the lone Democracy in the Middle East and one of our closest, and strongest, allies across the globe,” he wrote.
Earlier this month, Thanedar condemned what he said was the hacking of his X account that resulted in the posting of a now-deleted antisemitic message.
“I can no longer stay silent on the genocide taking place in Palestine. Israel has paid off politicians for far too long. I know this means I’ll lose AIPAC financial support but I don’t need it. We need to come together to #FreePalestine from the terrorist state of Israel,” the post read.
After deleting the post, Thanedar posted a message supportive of Israel, including that funding for the nation “should not be contingent on specific conditions.”
“I was just hacked, and a misleading tweet was sent from my account. I have deleted the tweet and taken steps to secure my account,” he posted on X with his official statement on Israel.
“In the complex landscape of the Israel-Hamas conflict, the recently announced temporary pause offers a glimmer of hope. The release of 50 women and children, kidnapped and held hostage by Hamas, was orchestrated through the collaborative efforts of the United States and our allies, and is a positive development.
“The abduction of innocent civilians on October 7 was a part of Hamas’s sustained terror campaign, and while the liberation of these hostages is an important step, the broader mission to destroy Hamas and ensure the safe return of all captives remains.
“Our steadfast support for Israel requires we provide the resources necessary to achieve its objectives. To this end, security funding from the United States to Israel should not be contingent on specific conditions.
“Our unwavering commitment to Israel’s security is grounded in shared values and a longstanding partnership. While we work for peace, we must ensure that our ally is always able to defend itself against external threats. It is also important to understand that this hiatus is temporary. It is not an abandonment of Israel’s right to safeguard its borders and citizens.
“As we work toward the resolution of this conflict, we must do so with the understanding that Israel’s right to defend itself is absolute, and any lasting solution must respect this fundamental principle. This approach ensures not only the short-term security of the region but also lays the groundwork for a sustainable and just peace in the long run.
“The path to peace remains challenging, but this temporary cessation of hostilities represents possibility and hope. It is my sincere desire that the conflict ends soon with the removal of Hamas, and we are able to move forward to a place of stable coexistence,” the statement signed Shri read.