New York City (NYC) Councilman Kalman Yeger created some controversy on March 27 when he tweeted that “Palestine does not exist.”
It started when Yeger, a Jewish Democrat, tweeted in response: to Rep. Ilhan Omar’s (D-Minn.) Twitter thread criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahy for singling her out in his AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) Policy Conference speech.
You're an antisemite and a member of Congress. It's not strange that you'd be mentioned. Anyway, what are you complaining about? It's what you want. https://t.co/e5XTRixub5
— Kalman Yeger (@KalmanYeger) March 26, 2019
A Twitter user responded to Yeger by pointing out that the councilman has previously said that “Palestine does not exist” and has used the term “so-called Palestinians.” Yeger tweeted in response, “Palestine does not exist. There, I said it again. Also, Congresswoman Omar is an anti-Semite. Said that too. Thanks for following me.”
Palestine does not exist.
There, I said it again.
Also, Congresswoman Omar is an antisemite. Said that too.
Thanks for following me. https://t.co/apM565HoEV— Kalman Yeger (@KalmanYeger) March 27, 2019
Yeger’s tweet drew rebukes from Women’s March, Inc. co-leader Linda Sarsour and NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio.
A two-state solution is the best hope for peace. I challenge anyone who thinks the State of Israel shouldn’t exist. But the same goes for anyone who would deny Palestinians a home. https://t.co/3JvnS4UOhm
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) March 27, 2019
Brooklyn is home to one of largest Palestinian communities. It’s irresponsible & dangerous to engage in this blatant bigotry. I’m Palestinian, I exist & so does my community. Yeger needs to be removed from the Immigration Committee & apologize publicly to Palestinian New Yorkers. https://t.co/lFupO3prwd
— Linda Sarsour (@lsarsour) March 27, 2019
Former Democratic New York State Assemblyman Dov Hikind defended Yeger:
.@lsarsour chants “from the river to the sea Palestine will be free” – erasing Israel from the map, and she’s calling for @KalmanYeger to resign bc he stated the historically factual truth?
NO! He won’t resign! And NO, he is not wrong just because SarSOUR wants him to be! https://t.co/S4gIIYcrJh
— Dov Hikind (@HikindDov) March 27, 2019
According to Jewish Virtual Library, the term “Palestine” originated from the Philistines, who were ancestors of the Greeks. Palestine was loosely used to refer to southern Syria under the Ottoman Empire; after the empire fell, the word “Palestine” was used to refer to the land that eventually became Israel and Jordan. Today, Judea and Samaria and Gaza are referred to as the Palestinian territories, however an official state called “Palestine” has never been established.
