In an era where social media posts frequently make headlines, a recent tweet by a Chicago official has sparked widespread controversy and heated discussions. Rossana Rodriguez, a councilwoman representing Chicago’s 33rd ward, has been widely criticized for a tweet seen as a celebration of a recent Iranian attack on Israel.
Rodriguez’s post, which read “Free Palestine”, was sent out on a Sunday afternoon, only hours after reports surfaced of Iran’s rocket attack on the Jewish state. The tweet instantly drew backlash, with many accusing Rodriguez of using a violent conflict to push her political agenda.
In response to the tweet, the Israeli consulate in Chicago posted a strongly-worded statement:
“We condemn in the strongest terms this Chicago Alderwoman’s celebration of Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel. This is the same Alderwoman behind the highly controversial ‘ceasefire’ resolution. We see a pattern – not aiming for peace, but for Israel’s destruction.”
Rodriguez faced immediate criticism for her tweet but defended her timing, stating that she had just landed from a flight and had not been updated on the latest news. She stated:
“I had just watched a video of Gaza with a father sobbing holding his dead child. This moment is immensely tragic and it’s sad that there’s people choosing to create so much more hate.”
In other news, Iran launched a barrage of about 300 suicide drones and missiles at Israel on Saturday night. However, nearly all were intercepted by Israeli air defenses, helped by US, French, and UK ships and warplanes. The only known casualty so far has been a 7-year-old Bedouin girl.
