New York Representative Jamaal Bowman was recently misled by a parody social media account posing as the “Chief Rabbi of Gaza.” The account, operated under the guise of “Rabbi Linda Goldstein,” is known for its satirical anti-Zionist posts aimed at ensnaring unwary progressive figures.
The interaction began when the fake rabbi reached out to Bowman about hosting a fundraiser for his Democratic primary campaign. Engaging in correspondence, Bowman and his team did not recognize the fictitious nature of the account, despite its implausible persona given that under Hamas rule, Jews are not allowed in Gaza, with the exception of hostages and IDF soldiers on rescue missions.
Goldstein’s message to Bowman on April 11 suggested an eagerness to support his campaign, claiming her “anti-Zionist community can’t wait to help,” to which Bowman’s account responded positively within just 30 minutes, expressing gratitude and interest in further contact.
This incident has raised eyebrows, considering Bowman’s position as a vocal critic of Israel and a prominent defender of Hamas in Congress. It also comes at a critical time as he faces a challenging primary against Westchester County Executive George Latimer, with recent polls suggesting Latimer could have a significant lead.
The parody account of Goldstein has a history of provocative posts, including absurd suggestions such as urging Hamas fighters to practice social distancing in terror tunnels and criticizing Jewish and Israeli traditions in an overtly mocking tone.
A representative for Bowman downplayed the interaction, characterizing it as a “standard staff response to a direct message,” indicating a routine engagement process by his team without recognizing the satirical nature of the account.
This episode highlights the complexities and potential pitfalls of political engagement on social media, where the authenticity of identities and claims can often be difficult to verify, leading to embarrassing missteps for public figures.