Pueblo Action Alliance: Standing in Solidarity with Hamas
Deb Haaland (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)
The Pueblo Action Alliance, a left-wing environmental group known for its ties to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, has recently expressed support for Hamas, praising the terrorist organization’s members as “martyrs” who are fighting for the “global indigenous struggle.”
In an October 24 statement, the group accused the United States and Israel of “ethnic cleansing and genocide” as part of a “Western colonial agenda.” They also attributed Hamas’s attack on Israel to the Israeli “apartheid” and commended the “martyrs” for their efforts to “liberate” indigenous peoples.
The statement reads, “The martyrs of the struggle will forever be remembered as the global indigenous struggle unites to free ourselves. We will continue to offer our prayers, lay cornmeal on the earth, and place feathers for the families and children who have been forever changed… We stand with Palestine forever.”
These remarks come at a time when officials in the Biden administration are making anti-Israel statements, undermining the administration’s support for the Jewish state. Sylvia Yacoub, an employee of the State Department, has publicly criticized President Joe Biden’s stance on Israel, accusing the country of ”genocide.” Haaland has not commented on Hamas’s recent terror attack.
Both Pueblo Action Alliance and Haaland have not responded to requests for comment.
Haaland has faced criticism in the past for her association with Pueblo Action Alliance. In 2021, she met with the group’s executive director, who openly referred to her as “Auntie Deb.”
Furthermore, Haaland’s daughter represented the group on a lobbying trip in December, where she advocated for the prohibition of oil and gas production on federal land near a national park in New Mexico. Months later, Haaland implemented a 20-year ban on oil and gas leasing in the area, prompting a congressional investigation into potential ethics violations.
In addition to their efforts against oil and gas production, Pueblo Action Alliance is known for its anti-Israel activism. In a series of Facebook posts in 2020, the group compared the “Palestinian resistance” to the “indigenous liberation movement” in the United States, referring to the country as “Amerikkka.”
“Solidarity with other indigenous peoples who face genocide, displacement, relocation, xenophobia, oppression, racism, and other forms of discrimination is crucial for the liberation of all colonized people living in settler states,” the group stated in one post.
“International solidarity is how we come together to create a world free from capitalism, patriarchy, and white supremacy,” they added in another.
However, some indigenous individuals have clashed with Haaland and Pueblo Action Alliance. After successfully pressuring Haaland to ban oil and gas leases around Chaco Culture National Historical Park, members of the Navajo Nation protested an event where Haaland was scheduled to speak, forcing her to change locations. They told her to “go home” and accused her of trespassing. Haaland later described the demonstration as “less than ideal.”
In what ways does the Pueblo Action Alliance’s support for Hamas undermine efforts to promote peaceful coexistence, dialogue, and understanding in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Administration of prioritizing Israeli interests over American values. Additionally, members of Congress, including Representatives Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, have also made controversial statements regarding Israel and its conflict with Hamas.
The Pueblo Action Alliance’s expression of support for Hamas is deeply concerning and reflects a dangerous alignment with terrorist organizations. Hamas is designated as a terrorist group by numerous countries, including the United States, and has been responsible for countless acts of violence and terror against Israeli civilians.
To equate the actions of Hamas with a “global indigenous struggle” is not only factually incorrect but also undermines the legitimate struggles of indigenous communities around the world. It is important to address and support the rights and sovereignty of indigenous peoples, but it is crucial to distinguish between genuine struggles for self-determination and the actions of terrorist organizations.
The Pueblo Action Alliance’s statement also perpetuates harmful and false narratives about Israel, such as the accusation of “apartheid.” Israel is a democratic and diverse nation that guarantees equal rights and protections to all its citizens, regardless of their ethnicity or religion. The use of such inflammatory language only serves to further polarize and inflame tensions in an already volatile region.
It is disappointing to see a group that claims to advocate for environmental causes and indigenous rights align itself with a terrorist organization. The Pueblo Action Alliance should reconsider its support for Hamas and instead focus on genuine efforts to promote peaceful coexistence, dialogue, and understanding between all parties involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Furthermore, it is essential for the Biden administration to reaffirm its commitment to the security and well-being of the State of Israel. While it is important to promote peace and address the root causes of the conflict, it is equally important to condemn terrorism, support Israel’s right to defend itself, and work towards a negotiated solution that ensures the safety and dignity of both Israelis and Palestinians.
In conclusion, the Pueblo Action Alliance’s support for Hamas is misguided and dangerous. It undermines the legitimate struggles of indigenous communities and perpetuates false narratives about Israel. It is crucial for all parties involved to promote peaceful dialogue and understanding in order to achieve a just and lasting resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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