Thanedar: Hacker posted on X account

Rep. deletes anti-Israel post and reaffirms his position

Todd Spangler

U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar, D-Detroit, said a hacker early Tuesday posted an anti-Israel comment on a personal social media account of his that he has since taken down.

Thanedar reposted in its place on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, a comment he first made Nov. 22 on the temporary pause in the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. In it, he said Israel’s “right to defend itself is absolute” and that even with the pause and hostage swap, “the broader mission to destroy Hamas ... remains.”

The earlier message, taken down by Thanedar, purported to be from him and called Israel’s response to Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack “genocide.” It also called Israel “a terrorist state” and suggested he would refuse financial support from those who support Israel.

Days after that attack, Thanedar voiced unequivocal support for Israel, chastising those who did not, even though he, as a state legislator, had initially cosponsored a resolution attacking Israeli’s treatment of Palestinians in the occupied territories. He later withdrew his support for that resolution, his office said Tuesday.

Thanedar, an Indian immigrant and millionaire businessman, faces a challenge next year from former state Sen. Adam Hollier, DDetroit, whom he beat in a crowded Democratic primary field. In last year’s race, Hollier received support from the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a key group that supports the Israeli government.

Thanedar has since traveled this year with a group affiliated with AIPAC to Israel, saying he wanted to put any tensions to rest and calling Israel “an important ally” of the U.S.

Detroit City Council Member Mary Waters has also said she intends to run against Thanedar, though the Federal Election Commission does not have her listed as a candidate as of Tuesday.

Contact Todd Spangler: tspangler@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter@tsspangler.

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