A case study of the first Palestinian American elected to the Virginia State Legislature, Delegate Sam Rasoul, and the backlash he's receiving for speaking up
Gratitude, Qasim, for introducing me to the courage and eloquence of Sam Rasoul.
It has become clear to me that Israel not only occupies Palestine but most governments of the western world. Extricating its claws, especially here in the US, will be no easy task.
Great post, I did pick statement 2 as belonging to Rasoul. However all statements made were important to read. It's no surprise the DNC career politicians continue to pander for their career verses supporting truth telling while Gaza is bombed and starved.✌️
You proved your point perfectly Qasim. I had a hell of a time trying to see what was different in those speeches. So Jewish communities speaking out means nothing? Who's a clever boy! LOL. Even though I chose wrongly, because I felt I HAD to choose, this is an excellent example of bias. It's not what you say it's WHO says it.
In the political climate here a guy, Jeremy Corbyn, the once leader of the Labour Party, resigned his leadership in 2020 after they were defeated in 2019. He was driven out of government because he made a speech condemning Israel for it's treatment of Palestinians! Interesting huh? This was in 2017! They called him anti-Semitic. Of course as this day and age shows us he was right! He's currently setting up a party to combat the current Labour Party, which has become SO conservative that almost to a man everybody wants him (Starmer) gone. Corbyn has been standing as an Independent since then. His running mate is a woman called Sultana, they haven't chosen a name yet, it's still being called Your Party but he's taking on the two party system to great acclaim. So far, in less that a month he's got 3/4 of a million people signed up. This is historic! You should watch out for this stuff. Jeremy has always been the same. Tax the rich, stop homelessness, protect the NHS (National Health Service) which by the way is still free to anybody on English soil etc. Even though Starmer took over leadership Corbyn, in his riding of Islington North have kept him as their candidate as an Independent. 2029 is going to be an historic occasion if they win. I was one of the 750,000 (our country's population is around 70M) that signed up! Sometimes a General Election can get called earlier because of voter dissatisfaction. Maggie Thatcher of the Conservatives did it, and lost. One caution though. You'll have to study it for yourself but basically to be elected as an MP in parliament means you have to be nominated in an electoral system. This system though is set up to give England Scotland and Wales equal representation. Yes, they are still sovereigns states. Which is why every few years they want to separate but still receive money from the English Parliament. It's complicated so you'll have to study it yourself, as you have more nounce than I do for sure! Thx for the bias test!
Thank you, Qasim, for this useful reporting and your concluding observations about the essential use of ''...speaking truth to power, defending human life, and rejecting all forms of hate" by all Americans to properly and fully use our constitutional democratic self-government tools. These tools, along with good faith relating with other, protect constitutional process, demonstrate its effectiveness, and give to each of us experience to strengthen our confidence in living by our rule of law and for the benefit of all.
Also, this introduction to Delegate Rasoul and to his public speaking on this issue are important to me. I will pass this substack article on to others who have a strong interest in better understanding these issues.
Not any justification exists for the gross violations of humanitarian and international legal protections that Palestinians share with each and all of us. Together with Palestinians and all other people of this world, we are human community. It is a genuine and almost unlivable horror for me to both have occurring this deliberate extermination of people and to see so many of our elected officials choose to remain in favor and in support of it. And these officials proclaim their support despite the evidence of its heinousness, of its wantonness, of its inhumanity, of the history it makes an complete mockery of. They do so in spite of mountains of evidence to the contrary and in the face of informed and continuous public protest.
Again, thanks for this reporting. It affirms that our common humanity and common social inclinations must be our guiding inclinations and motivate us to learn international dialogue that will demonstrate the capacity and the willingness of most to end the hostilities and agree on terms for prompt beginning of civil society living and inter-community cooperation.
Very well-written and convincing piece! I wasn't aware of Delegate Rasoul, but I will follow him now. He appears to be a very fair and open-minded person, who would seem to be beyond criticism. I would say that the problem seems to be unfair judgment by the citizens who are criticizing him.
I hope it's okay for me to do this - it feels like a big deal for this to be happening in St Augustine & I want as many people as possible to know/come.
RALLY – SATURDAY, AUG 16 | 9:00–10:30 AM | STOP THE GENOCIDE!
📍 Where: Intersection of U.S. 1 & Racetrack Rd.
Bring your own sign (ideas: Stop the Genocide, Bread Not Bombs, AIPAC Out of Congress)
This is what John Lewis called “Good Trouble.” Let’s make it loud. Let’s make it visible.
I volunteered for Sam Rasoul's campaign years ago when I lived in Virginia, when he tried to unseat the dreadful Rep. Bob Goodlatte. Alas, Sam lost, but he's always been a person of integrity and courage, a respected member of his community. I'm sad to think that anyone would condemn him for his honesty. It's a consistent trait of his, not just on this issue.
Yes it’s possible and it’s a fact. An invading armed force is killing men, women and children like they’re hunting ducks. Imagine that is the future in our United States. It can happen anywhere when we continue to allow greedy criminal billionaires to exist in our society
Whatever we allow "over there," the government will soon do over here. It's one reason Dr. King reminded us that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
Oh wow! This is why I agree with Qasim right here about why the Democrats lost. They just keep dropping the ball when it comes to Palestinians speaking out. Like how do they expect to win if they keep suppressing voices like Sam Rasoul and many more? It’s getting more and more disheartening
G_d bless Sam Rasoul. He’s a true patriot. And he should challenge genocide facilitator Virginia Senator Mark Warner in the 2026 Virginia Democratic primary.
Besides having no problem with facilitating a genocide, Warner is also “Running on Empty.”
I can only hope you'll be as excited to read this as I was! Take no prisoners (or corporate Democrats)! https://substack.com/home/post/p-171144808
Sam has all my support and those who criticize him all my pity.
Thank you, Qasim. Your truth brings me to tears
Gratitude, Qasim, for introducing me to the courage and eloquence of Sam Rasoul.
It has become clear to me that Israel not only occupies Palestine but most governments of the western world. Extricating its claws, especially here in the US, will be no easy task.
What if progressives denounced AIPAC funding and ran as Independents ! Break the Democrats & delete the FascistRepublikkklans
Great post, I did pick statement 2 as belonging to Rasoul. However all statements made were important to read. It's no surprise the DNC career politicians continue to pander for their career verses supporting truth telling while Gaza is bombed and starved.✌️
You proved your point perfectly Qasim. I had a hell of a time trying to see what was different in those speeches. So Jewish communities speaking out means nothing? Who's a clever boy! LOL. Even though I chose wrongly, because I felt I HAD to choose, this is an excellent example of bias. It's not what you say it's WHO says it.
In the political climate here a guy, Jeremy Corbyn, the once leader of the Labour Party, resigned his leadership in 2020 after they were defeated in 2019. He was driven out of government because he made a speech condemning Israel for it's treatment of Palestinians! Interesting huh? This was in 2017! They called him anti-Semitic. Of course as this day and age shows us he was right! He's currently setting up a party to combat the current Labour Party, which has become SO conservative that almost to a man everybody wants him (Starmer) gone. Corbyn has been standing as an Independent since then. His running mate is a woman called Sultana, they haven't chosen a name yet, it's still being called Your Party but he's taking on the two party system to great acclaim. So far, in less that a month he's got 3/4 of a million people signed up. This is historic! You should watch out for this stuff. Jeremy has always been the same. Tax the rich, stop homelessness, protect the NHS (National Health Service) which by the way is still free to anybody on English soil etc. Even though Starmer took over leadership Corbyn, in his riding of Islington North have kept him as their candidate as an Independent. 2029 is going to be an historic occasion if they win. I was one of the 750,000 (our country's population is around 70M) that signed up! Sometimes a General Election can get called earlier because of voter dissatisfaction. Maggie Thatcher of the Conservatives did it, and lost. One caution though. You'll have to study it for yourself but basically to be elected as an MP in parliament means you have to be nominated in an electoral system. This system though is set up to give England Scotland and Wales equal representation. Yes, they are still sovereigns states. Which is why every few years they want to separate but still receive money from the English Parliament. It's complicated so you'll have to study it yourself, as you have more nounce than I do for sure! Thx for the bias test!
Thank you, Qasim, for this useful reporting and your concluding observations about the essential use of ''...speaking truth to power, defending human life, and rejecting all forms of hate" by all Americans to properly and fully use our constitutional democratic self-government tools. These tools, along with good faith relating with other, protect constitutional process, demonstrate its effectiveness, and give to each of us experience to strengthen our confidence in living by our rule of law and for the benefit of all.
Also, this introduction to Delegate Rasoul and to his public speaking on this issue are important to me. I will pass this substack article on to others who have a strong interest in better understanding these issues.
Not any justification exists for the gross violations of humanitarian and international legal protections that Palestinians share with each and all of us. Together with Palestinians and all other people of this world, we are human community. It is a genuine and almost unlivable horror for me to both have occurring this deliberate extermination of people and to see so many of our elected officials choose to remain in favor and in support of it. And these officials proclaim their support despite the evidence of its heinousness, of its wantonness, of its inhumanity, of the history it makes an complete mockery of. They do so in spite of mountains of evidence to the contrary and in the face of informed and continuous public protest.
Again, thanks for this reporting. It affirms that our common humanity and common social inclinations must be our guiding inclinations and motivate us to learn international dialogue that will demonstrate the capacity and the willingness of most to end the hostilities and agree on terms for prompt beginning of civil society living and inter-community cooperation.
Very well-written and convincing piece! I wasn't aware of Delegate Rasoul, but I will follow him now. He appears to be a very fair and open-minded person, who would seem to be beyond criticism. I would say that the problem seems to be unfair judgment by the citizens who are criticizing him.
I hope it's okay for me to do this - it feels like a big deal for this to be happening in St Augustine & I want as many people as possible to know/come.
RALLY – SATURDAY, AUG 16 | 9:00–10:30 AM | STOP THE GENOCIDE!
📍 Where: Intersection of U.S. 1 & Racetrack Rd.
Bring your own sign (ideas: Stop the Genocide, Bread Not Bombs, AIPAC Out of Congress)
This is what John Lewis called “Good Trouble.” Let’s make it loud. Let’s make it visible.
Good for you!!! Protesting the unacceptable is essential. Wish I could be there on the 16th.
It's always OK to be on the good side Nadine.
There is nothing clean about ethnic cleansing. Its only ever meant murder..
I volunteered for Sam Rasoul's campaign years ago when I lived in Virginia, when he tried to unseat the dreadful Rep. Bob Goodlatte. Alas, Sam lost, but he's always been a person of integrity and courage, a respected member of his community. I'm sad to think that anyone would condemn him for his honesty. It's a consistent trait of his, not just on this issue.
It's personal experiences like yours that sift through the bias.
Yes it’s possible and it’s a fact. An invading armed force is killing men, women and children like they’re hunting ducks. Imagine that is the future in our United States. It can happen anywhere when we continue to allow greedy criminal billionaires to exist in our society
Whatever we allow "over there," the government will soon do over here. It's one reason Dr. King reminded us that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
Right on!
Oh wow! This is why I agree with Qasim right here about why the Democrats lost. They just keep dropping the ball when it comes to Palestinians speaking out. Like how do they expect to win if they keep suppressing voices like Sam Rasoul and many more? It’s getting more and more disheartening
The dems need a crash course in what the party USED to stand for! These are just asses in seats for the most part.
It's like they've learned nothing after the 2024 election. Such a shame and we are all suffering as a result.
Once again an excellent commentary and highly appreciated! I would have liked to see who the Dems are spreading lies and misinformation about him.
The usual I suspects. Those that have gotten too comfy doing nothing!
Thank you Hanief.
G_d bless Sam Rasoul. He’s a true patriot. And he should challenge genocide facilitator Virginia Senator Mark Warner in the 2026 Virginia Democratic primary.
Besides having no problem with facilitating a genocide, Warner is also “Running on Empty.”
Would be amazing to have him replace Warner.
Concur! He should declare immediately. The approval rating of the national Democratic Party is 27%. Gee, I wonder why.
The Democratic Party’s own voters hate it.