Rep. Jamaal Bowman and his campaign were duped by the parody social-media account of the fake “Chief Rabbi of Gaza.”
The phony X account of “Rabbi Linda Goldstein” is infamous for spouting anti-Zionist vitriol to ensnare unsuspecting progressives unaware that it is satirical.
The rabbi messaged Bowman about sponsoring a fundraiser for his Democratic primary campaign.
Under Hamas rule Jews were not allowed in Gaza, and the only ones there now are hostages and IDF soldiers attempting to rescue them — something Bowman evidently didn’t pick up on when he began corresponding with the account.
Bowman, a member of the far-left House “Squad,” has become one of the most vocal critics of Israel and defenders of Hamas in Congress.
He is currently locked in a fierce primary battle with Westchester County Executive George Latimer, with polls suggesting Latimer could beat him badly.
“I really hope you win, I would love to host a fundraiser with you,” Goldstein messaged Bowman in a private X message on April 11. The message prompted a reply from the congressman’s account just 30 minutes later.
“Thank you, how do we get in touch with you?” Bowman asked. Goldstein promised Bowman she has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars before, adding “my anti-zionist community can’t wait to help.”
“Hi Rabbi, this is Bowman’s staff, we’ll have a member of our finance team follow up with you,” read another direct message from Bowman’s account, noting, “We’re grateful.”
Goldstein’s schtick as an over-the-top Palestinian-loving rabbi has won her a cult following.
“I’m organizing an aid convoy to the @Columbia campus,” Goldstein posted last week. “We need: Glamp Tents; Volunteer Baristas; Oat Milk; Keffiyeh’s; Canada Goose Jackets; and Alo Leggings.”
In other tweets she has condemned Passover as Israeli “genocide” against Egyptians; and posed with photoshopped terrorists in front of a “Menorah for Justice” made of rockets.
She has urged Hamas fighters to practice social distancing in terror tunnels.
The account is operated by a pro-Israel attorney named Michael who declined to provide his last name.
“Antisemitism is a low IQ disease,” Michael quipped to The Post when asked about the exchange.
A rep for Bowman dismissed the exchange as a “standard staff response to a direct message.”
