Councilman Kalman Yeger could be removed from the NY City Council Immigration Committee following his tweet that said “Palestine does not exist.” Yeger, a Democrat representing the 44th council district, which includes Bensonhurst, Borough Park, Gravesend, Kensington, and Midwood, has not apologized for his tweet.
The council, which often errs on the left side of things, is mulling Yeger’s removal despite the fact that only 20 showed up on Thursday at a rally sponsored by the Union for Arab Women, NYC DSA, and Bay Ridge 4 Social Justice, to “protest Councilman Yeger’s anti-Palestinian comments,” as the Brooklyn Eagle reported.
On Tuesday, Councilman Kalman Yeger tweeted:
“Palestine does not exist. There, I said it again. Also, Congresswoman Omar is an anti-Semite. Said that too. Thanks for following me.”
Palestine does not exist.
There, I said it again.
Also, Congresswoman Omar is an antisemite. Said that too.
Thanks for following me. https://t.co/apM565HoEV— Kalman Yeger (@KalmanYeger)
Needless to say, several New Yorkers objected, and a protest was called. And, once again, the rule that not even five percent of people who commit online to showing up actually bother was obeyed. Only about 20 people showed up to call for the councilmember’s resignation — or his removal from the Committee on Immigration — and they were met by about 200 supporters of Yeger.
— Mr W (@MrWLondon)
According to the Eagle, there were some JDL activists at the event, and, apparently, they were rather loud.
Finally, anti-Israel activist Abbas Hamideh, an associate of Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich) has tweeted the councilman’s home address and invited other anti-Israel activists to protest there. But not to worry, the protest received the kosher certification of Jewish Voice for Peace, so it’s all good.
If you’re reading this report from the safety of your home in Israel, you should do the sigh of relief thing right about now.