(Headline USA) Despite speaking out publicly about the stabbing death of a 6-year-old Muslim boy, Wadea Al-Fayoume, in Chicago, in what appeared to have all the hallmarks of a propaganda narrative, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., remained silent over the stabbing death of a Democrat leader of the Jewish community in her own district.
On Oct. 19, Tlaib slammed President Joe Biden for his failure to directly acknowledge the killing of Al-Fayoume.
Prosecutors allege that the boy’s landlord, Joseph Czuba, 71, who previously had been “like a grandfather” to him, became obsessed with the Israel—Hamas conflict after watching conservative media, NBC News reported.
“The child, when he saw Czuba, ran to him for a hug and instead was stabbed 26 times,” claimed Yousef Hannon, a family friend.
Palestinian Hamas supporters have struggled to find a counter-narrative to cast themselves as the victim after an Oct. 7 terrorist attack in Israel that killed some 1,300 innocent Israelis, with much of the brutality broadcast via social media.
Tlaib has been particularly adamant about refusing to condemn the Muslim extremists and attempting, instead, to paint a false equivalence with perceived Israeli abuses.
Yet, the “Squad” lawmaker’s own hate speech may also have been responsible for stochastic terrorism after a brutal murder in her district, which she had yet to publicly address as of Monday.
Samantha Woll, 40, led the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue, and was a campaign staffer for Democrat Attorney General Dana Nessel and former aide to Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin.
“Sam did more for our community, our state, our world, our lives in her short time here on Earth than most will ever accomplish in 1,000 lifetimes,” Nessel said at Woll’s funeral on Sunday afternoon, according to the New York Times.
As mourners gathered to pay respects, police claimed their ongoing investigation of Woll’s killing found no evidence of anti-Semitism as a motive.
But just as the rush to declare Al-Fayoume’s death a hate crime fueled suspicions, the quick dismissal by the media and local authorities in Woll’s death raised questions about whether there were a more deeper and systemic form of anti-Semitism at work in the deep-blue region with one of the highest concentrations of Muslims in America.
Woll’s family hinted that she, like many left-wing Jews, may have been conflicted over the recent Hamas massacre and Israel’s right to defend itself in response.
“You so deeply wanted peace for this world. You fought for everyone regardless of who they were or where they came from,” said Monica Woll Rosen, directly addressing her late sister before mourners at the Jewish funeral home. “You were the definition of a leader. Our world is shattered without you.”
Woll’s body was found at her home Saturday morning after a caller alerted officers to a person lying on the ground unresponsive. Officers followed a “trail of blood” to Woll’s home, where authorities believe she was killed, Cpl. Dan Donakowski said.
Police Chief James E. White said Sunday that investigators were working with the FBI to analyze forensic evidence to piece together a timeline leading to Woll’s death. That included interviewing “individuals with information that may further this investigation.”
White, who had asked the public not to draw quick conclusions, added that “no evidence has surfaced suggesting that this crime was motivated by anti-Semitism.” He said more information would come Monday.
Woll was born and raised in the Detroit area, and was a University of Michigan graduate. She became the president of the board of directors at Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue in 2022.
Mourners noted the crowd was comprised of people belonging to many different religions, which friends and family said symbolized who Woll was. She was credited for her interfaith work, including by Muslim advocacy groups. Family members said she looked for ways to connect to other movements, including Black Lives Matter.
If her death does prove to be linked with Islamic extremism or other left-wing hate, it would be at least the third such prominent example of an outspoken left-wing activist being brutally murdered by those for whom she, herself, would have been a staunch advocate and supporter.
Colleagues remembered how Woll loved travel, the arts and had an “infectious smile” that would light up a room. The service included moments of levity about her nature, with jokes about her food allergies and how when she was complimented on something she wore, she would remove it and give it away.
Nessel, who called Woll one of her most enthusiastic supporters, said she had been looking at old photos and marveling at how active she was.
“She was at every campaign event, every political protest, every religious service, every ribbon cutting. I think I saw her in a picture of the moon landing,” Nessel joked. “I don’t know how she could be so many places at the same time.”
The last text message Woll sent was a heart to a friend, according to her sister.
“You sent hearts to cheer people up and let them know you were thinking of them because you cared,” Monica Woll Rosen said, addressing her late sister. “A light has gone out in Detroit, in our hearts, for our people, for the world.”
Adapted from reporting by the Associated Press
