Hallandale commissioner: Muslim congresswoman might ‘blow up’ Capitol Hill

HALLANDALE BEACH – A Jewish commissioner from Hallandale Beach has accused a Muslim congresswoman from Michigan of being an anti-Semite who might “blow up Capitol Hill.”

Her comments were directed at U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, who sparked a political firestorm soon after being sworn in to Congress on Jan. 3 by vowing to help fellow Democrats go after President Donald Trump and “impeach the mother------.”

Five days later, Hallandale Commissioner Annabelle Lima-Taub signed an online petition seeking to remove Tlaib from office and posted the petition on her personal Facebook page.

“Proudly signed,” LimaTaub wrote. “A Hamas-loving anti-Semite has NO place in government! She is a danger and [I] would not put it past her to become a martyr and blow up Capitol Hill.”

Tlaib, a PalestinianAmerican, made history as one of the first two Muslim women to ever serve in Congress.

Lima-Taub could not be reached for comment Monday despite two calls to her cell phone. Tlaib could not be reached for comment despite a message left with her Washington office.

It was unclear Monday whether the comment was reported to federal authorities.

The Facebook post was removed sometime Monday afternoon after the South Florida Sun Sentinel began making inquiries.

Three Hallandale Beach commissioners blasted their colleague for her lack of discretion — but stopped short of saying they would demand an apology.

Commissioners Michele Lazarow and Mike Butler accused Lima-Taub of promoting a racist stereotype that all Muslims are terrorists.

“Commissioner LimaTaub’s behavior is indefensible and a black eye for Hallandale Beach,”

Lazarow said.

Vice Mayor Sabrina Javellana said she was stunned by what she called Lima-Taub’s “outrageous” accusation.

“To say [the Congresswoman] could blow up Capitol Hill is really inappropriate,” Javellana said. “Congressman Steve King from Iowa has openly embraced white supremacy and I don’t see anyone condemning him. Maybe she’s being targeted because she’s a woman and because she’s a Muslim.”

Muslim advocacy groups condemned LimaTaub’s remarks and demanded a public apology.

“That level of racism and bigotry has no place in Florida’s politics,” said Vetnah Monessar, state director for Emgage, a nonprofit focused on civic engagement among Muslim Americans. “Muslims are part of the fabric of this country. We demand that Commissioner Taub apologize to her constituents and the general public.”

Rasha Mubarak, president of the Young Democrats of Orange County, also urged Lima-Taub to apologize for her “outlandish” remarks.

“I find her comments repulsive and jarring, considering she’s an elected official,” Mubarak said from Orlando. “This language is dangerous, violent and unproductive. There is no room for hate in Florida politics.”

Like Tlaib, Lima-Taub herself has been at the center of a media storm.

In September, thenMayor Keith London accused her of making a living off sphincter bleaching, a reference to her mother’s med spa.

Infuriated, Lima-Taub accused him of making sexually inappropriate comments and demanded an apology.

London eventually apologized, but not before the story went viral.