Seminole tax collector’s Facebook post stirs outrage
Greenberg: How do Muslims benefit society? Asking for a friend
Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg touched off a firestorm Saturday with a Facebook post that many have deemed Islamophobic.
“Very simple question,” the post read. “Name just ONE society in the developed world that has benefited in ANY WAY from the introduction of more Muslims. Just one. Asking for a friend.”
In a comment under the status, Greenberg linked to an article from “JihadWatch.org,” which claimed that a toddler was the victim of female genital mutilation in London.
By 5 p.m. the post had more than 50 shares and 100 comments, with opinions ranging from anger to full-throttled support.
When reached by the Orlando Sentinel on Saturday afternoon, Greenberg defended the status by saying he was copying the question that a friend, Neal Boortz, posted on Twitter on Saturday morning. Boortz is an author who hosted a nationally syndicated radio
show, which ended in 2013.
“Islamophobic? Of course I’m not Islamophobic. I don’t care what religion people are,” Greenberg said, adding that he thought members from “all religions” have benefited society.
When asked whether he would apologize to his constituents for the post, Greenberg insisted he had no reason to apologize because he claims the question was originally posed by his friend, not him.
Rasha Mubarak, the president of the Young Democrats of Orange County and a Muslim activist, said Greenberg used his position as an elected official as a tool to demean Muslims.
“There’s a way to articulate a question for a friend,” she said. “If truly he was concerned to pose this question, he would articulate it in a fashion that would be inclusive.”
Mubarak said Greenberg’s post gives those who are anti-Muslim “a green light to react on their ignorance.”
Posters commenting under Greenberg’s status also took aim at his elected position, with some saying they originally voted for him but regret the decision.
“I am shocked that a public elected official would make a comment like this. I am sorry I voted for you, it won’t happen again,” one comment read.
“Wow. The ignorance of this post is astounding. Probably the same question that Nazi’s asked about Jews. You’re a disgrace, Joel,” read another.
However, Greenberg also found support from many of his Facebook followers.
“I would vote for you again and again my friend . Great question .. More than you know have your back .” read one comment.
One Facebook user invited Greenberg to a meeting at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Orlando on Monday.
The meeting will include guest speaker Walid Issa, a Palestinian-American who works to create a dialogue between Palestinians and Israelis.
“I think you will find him extremely interesting, intelligent and compelling, and will answer the question you posted with an emphatic YES! I do hope you’ll join us,” Dori Lovitz Gerber posted.
The Facebook post isn’t the first time Greenberg has been steeped in controversy since his election in 2016.
In December, he pulled over a 61-year-old woman for speeding while wearing his tax collector’s badge around his neck.
The next month, Greenberg tried — unsuccessfully — to use his elected position to get out of a ticket when a Lake Mary police officer pulled him over for speeding. Greenberg asked the officer to extend a “professional courtesy” by giving him a warning.
In a body camera video, he’s heard saying, “You’re going to give a constitutional officer a ticket?” Are you serious? … This is unprofessional. You know this is unprofessional.”
Wesley Neuman, the vice chair of the Seminole County Democratic Party, called on Greenberg to resign Saturday afternoon.
“As a county-wide officer, Greenberg took an oath to uphold the Constitutions of the United States of America, and the State of Florida,” he said. “This sort of rhetoric, in conjunction with his poor management, and inclination to take the law into his own hands, indicates that Greenberg is unwilling … to faithfully execute his oath of office.”