Yesterday, U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) apologized for her recent anti-Semitic comments perpetuating stereotypes about money and the Jewish community. Despite her apology, Texas Sierra Club official Bryan Parras took to Facebook to express his support for her comments, and further perpetuate anti-Semitic tropes:
“Any observer of Washington politics knows that [Rep. Omar’s comments] is no exaggeration when it comes to the power of pro-Israel money…The influence of Adelson’s cash on US foreign policy has been enormous, even if media refuse to talk about it.”
This is not the first time that Parras has made controversial comments. Following Hurricane Harvey, the Houston Chronicle rebuked his rhetoric as “hyperbole” and it was later revealed that Hurricane Harvey relief funds raised by the Texas Sierra Club were given to Parras’ father’s left-wing activist group without restrictions.
This is the second time this year that Texas environmental leaders have backed someone accused of anti-Semitism. Earlier this year 350.org, a group with chapters in Austin, Dallas, and Houston, maintained their sponsorship of an event whose organizers faced accusations of anti-Semitism despite prominent groups including the Democratic National Committee, Southern Poverty Law Center, EMILY’s List, Human Rights Campaign, NARAL, and the Center for American Progress withdrawing their sponsorship.
