Palestinian-American Rashad “Rush” Darwish was the first Muslim Palestinian to run for elected office in Illinois’ 3rd congressional district, an area comprising Chicago’s southern suburbs and “Little Palestine,” where thousands of Palestinian-Americans live and work. Despite this favorable constituency, Darwish’s decision to neglect local issues and prioritize the distant Palestinian-Israeli conflict may have led to his March 17 defeat in the Democratic primary.
Darwish was born in Chicago to Palestinian immigrants and spent some of his childhood living in the Palestinian village of Beitin, near Ramallah. He graduated from the College of DuPage Illinois Center for Broadcasting and owns a multimedia production company called Rush Productions.
Arab-American families moving from both Chicago and the Middle East have settled on the city’s southside, making it one of the largest Arab and Palestinian communities in the U.S. According to the University of Chicago, there are as many as 120,000 Palestinians in the Chicago area, comprising around one-sixth of the population in the 3rd district.
However, Darwish never stood a chance in the Democratic primary, coming in third place with only 6,070 votes, and trailing behind incumbent Dan Lipinski (46,315 votes) and the winner, Marie Newman (49,098 votes).
Why did Darwish fail so miserably in one of the most densely populated Arab congressional districts in the state?
Focusing on his Palestinian supporters, Darwish seemed to forget that the 3rd district is also home to the largest Polish-American constituency in the country. Yet, when it comes to ordinary domestic issues that affect all Chicagoans, Darwish was a fence-sitter. The Chicago Sun-Times called him “the man in the middle” when it comes to everyday domestic and social issues, while noting his penchant for discussing “Palestinian rights.”
“I am running for Congress because I am going to represent the largest Palestinian community in the country,” he said in a June 15 speech.
Last June, when Darwish announced his candidacy, he recalled his childhood in the Palestinian Territories, where he saw friends and family detained or harassed “for no reason whatsoever” by an occupying military force. The candidate said that his time there made him understand: “This is home. This is Palestine.”
Also in June, Darwish falsely accused his opponent Lipinski of taking a $15,000 donation from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), even though the Jewish nonprofit may not legally endorse or contribute to political campaigns. Similar accusations have provoked controversy at the national level. Somali-Muslim Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) experienced a bipartisan backlash when she declared, “It’s all about the Benjamins,” to suggest that Jewish groups like AIPAC are buying political support.
Similarly, Darwish accused Newman, the eventual primary winner, of changing her mind by opposing the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. BDS is an anti-Israeli movement that aims to economically and politically isolate Israel, undermining the legitimacy of the Jewish state in order to destroy it.
According to Darwish, Newman was “asked by key members in the community, our community, ‘Marie, why the change of heart?’ She admitted, ‘I want to attract more Jewish donors,’” he said.
Newman called this “an absolute lie” and insisted that she would never “sacrifice my views to attract a specific set of donors.”
As a radio host in 2015, Darwish berated his guest, City Hall reporter and Arab-American columnist Ray Hanania, for “praising the Israeli people and the Jewish civilization as if they are great people.” The future congressional candidate was relentless: “You are a Howard Stern, because you love the Jewish media, you love the Jewish people, they stole our Hummus … no! … they stole our food, our culture, you love them!”
Ultimately, Darwish’s pro-Palestinian agenda drove a wedge through Chicago’s mixed bag of Arab communities, which was already fractured along ethno-sectarian lines. Anna Mustafa, a Palestinian American trustee on the Chicago Board of Education, told Arab News in July that Chicago’s Arab American community is plagued by divisions.
Many Christians, such as Assyrians, Copts, or Maronites, immigrated to America from the Middle East and reject the Arab identity, viewing themselves as distinct ethnic communities. They frequently come to the West bearing the trauma of war or persecution perpetrated by Muslim-majority governments.
Still, Mustafa was hopeful that the upcoming 2020 national census would help Arabs obtain a united voice in Illinois politics. Yet, according to Arab News, the school board official grew pessimistic from her experiences: “The real problem is that many other Arab American organizations have focused on political power and funding, which has fueled divisions within the community,” she said.
True to form, Darwish searched outside his own district for financial support, targeting Arab donors in Washington, California, Texas, Missouri, Wisconsin, and North Carolina.
Darwish was ultimately unsuccessful at unifying Chicago’s diverse Arab community around his singular campaign strategy. For instance, Future News, a local Arab American newspaper, unexpectedly endorsed Newman, who was expected to enjoy the support of many Christian Arabs.
Hosting a podcast in June, Hanania predicted that Darwish would lose the primary because he was “too close to the controversial elements in the Arab community,” who would “drag him down.”
Indeed, Darwish is not only too close to those problematic organizations, he is active with two groups connected to Palestinian terrorists. The failed congressional candidate has appeared in protests with the Campaign to Take on Hate, an Islamist coalition that glorifies convicted terrorist Rasmea Odeh and includes notorious anti-Semite Linda Sarsour on its leadership committee.
Darwish is also affiliated with the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF), a charity which according to the New York Times has been identified as a front for Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a designated terrorist organization. Before it was shuttered in 2001 for funding terrorism, the Holy Land Foundation charity “coordinated efforts” with PCRF, which has featured activists who promote violence against Israeli soldiers.
Darwish pursued an ethnocentric strategy and obsessed over divisive foreign policy issues that only succeeded in alienating Arab voters. His anti-Semitic statements, affiliation with controversial Islamist groups, and focus on the Arab-Israeli conflict each contributed to his political demise. However, for any candidate to succeed in the 3rd district, they must offer solutions to problems which affect every citizen, rather than just pandering to their own political tribe.
Hesham Shehab is a Chicago Associate at the Counter-Islamist Grid, a project of the Middle East Forum.
mortimer says
It’s possible that many of the Pallies are becoming fed up with the Islamist point of view and that they just want to get on with their lives and be good neighbors with everyone. It’s possible that many Pallies quietly despise the endless jihadist bloodshed and just want it to stop.
I would not trust any Islamic charity, because Sharia law says that part of zakat is used to fund militancy and jihad of various kinds. Islamic charity is not charity in the Western understanding.
Zakat supports Islamic supremacism. It is political.
Anyone involved in Islamic ‘charity’ would be immediately suspect of collaborating with terrorism, imho.
gravenimage says
Not necessarily–maybe he just didn’t offer them enough freebies.
yiyoya says
Nope. It’s just that there aren’t enough of them, YET. Just wait til their numbers grow. There will come a tipping point as always with Islam.
gravenimage says
This could grimly be the case, yiyoya–there is still a large–although aging–population of Polish Americans in the district.
S simba says
yiyoya You are so right when you say ” Just wait til their numbers grow ..” That is what muslims do wait for their numbers to increase, they breed like rats. Also don’t forget they have more than 1 wife.
DHazard says
This is good news for everybody since it prevents a self righteous Palestinian activist from making any important decisions in the near future. And it also sends a message that using The House of Representatives as a platform for whining about one’s personal grievances, while ignoring the people being represented, is getting tired.
Roland says
Lipinski lost because he became too conservative (by any standard) to be a Democrat. Marie Newman was endorsed by J Street, a kiss of death. See http://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/25442.
RichardL says
Thanks for the link. To be a Democrat is to be a friend of terrorists and hater of Jews. Even if one is a Jew. They are such lazy people
gravenimage says
Palestinian-American Congressional Candidate Loses Big in Illinois’ ‘Little Palestine’ District
……………..
Well, this is good to hear.
Rod says
While 100,000 die in a nationwide pandemic, while cities across the nation erupt demanding change, here we see thousands of words dissecting an insignificant election for the 3rd congressional district, in Chicago’s southern suburbs.
What a sick, sad, contemptible society you came from, Mr Spencer. Riven with hatred, intolerance, racism, violence and fear. Led by an infantile loon to whom you’ve given more power than kings and emperors had centuries ago. Yet you have the arrogance to criticise and ridicule people of another religion. Thereby contributing to the ugly currents of racism and hatred destroying your own society.
Is it a disease which drives you? Or just unfathomable stupidity?
gravenimage says
Let’s unpack this, shall we?
First, the idea that any actions of Robert Spencer have caused the Coronavirus is simply ludicrous.
Then, the death of George Floyd does indeed appear to have been due to excessive force on the part of the police. The officer in question, Derek Chauvin, has been fired and charged with murder. Note that “Rod” does not say how this response is a bad thing.
Then, he characterizes looting and arson as “demanding change”–just repulsive.
And what about the story above? Rashad Darwish focused on running on the “Palestinian cause”–which of course seeks the destruction of Israel–this is in the charter of both Hamas *and* the “Palestinian Authority”. There are over eight million people in Israel, all of whom are threatened by this, and many of whom die in Jihad terror attacks. There would be many more victims if the civilized Israelis were not so good at security.
“Rod” is enraged that Robert Spencer and anyone else here would care about this.
Then, Rashad Darwish represents another salient issue, as well–Muslims infiltrating the political landscape of the West (or at least trying to, in his case). This leads to increasing Islamization of our civilized societies–something else that “Rod” is enraged is a concern of the stalwart Mr. Spencer.
Then, he condemns Spencer for daring to criticize Islam. Note that he does not say what he considers admirable about this horror–mutilating little girls? “Honor Killings”? Persecuting non-Muslims? Stoning rape victims to death? Or–perhaps particularly salient here–killing Jews?
Whatever the shortcomings of the United States and the rest of the West, the idea that they would be improved if only we embraced the horrors of Islam could not be more grotesque.
That Darwish lost is a victory–albeit a small one. We have every right to hear about this–despite “Rod’s” demands that we remain silent.
CHB says
Well said, graven image.
carpediadem says
Well said, gravenimage.
gravenimage says
Thank you, CBH and carpediadem.
Westman says
Gosh Rod., your complete Ignorance of Islam’s ideology and its scriptures is astounding! It is not just another religion and is the only one that intends to make you become a Muslim, pay for protection, or perish if it can gain political control of government. Look around and tell us which nation, under Islamic control, in which you desire to live.
All religions claim superiority in the next life yet only Islam is commanded by its diety to take it by any means in this life. It has no golden rule and its ideology calls for affection and acceptance only for other Muslims. It, in fact, Rod, calls you, (unbeliever) ,”the worst of peoples”. Islam is apartheid at its base. But then you’re too lazy to actually read the Quran and Hadiths to discover that you’ve been hoodwinked about Islam and that every political gain brings you closer to servitude.
Every political race in the US, that involves Muslims, who believe they have a destiny to annihilate the Jews, matters. Read their scriptures, Rod. The Jew hatred did not begin with Israel, it began with Islam’s founder and it’s found all over in the Quran.
Robert Spencer is trying to save your freedom. Maybe you don’t want it…however we’re not going to fall in the ditch with you and your blinders. Islam counts on your ignorance. When you actually know something about Islam and can actually quote it from the Quran and Hadiths, come back and discuss it.
AA says
Hi Rod, sorry, I can’t feel you. I found insults and abuses only in your write up. Please say something, give me the the who-what-where-when-and-how? rather than abusive phrases that stinks of hatred.
carpediadem says
Intelligence and research.
Stop projecting, you offensive creature.
yiyoya says
Islam is just another religion? That’s like saying Nazism is just another way of life. You obviously don’t know a thing about Islam.
golem2 says
You have to be joking or one more hate filled Muslim to see what You speak
gravenimage says
I don’t know if “Rod” is Muslim or not–but he is certainly a long-term apologist for Jihad and Shari’ah.
gravenimage says
One more important point re “Rod”–while he refers to the West as a “sick, sad, contemptible society”, note that he has *nothing* critical to say about the horrors of “Palestinian” society–the child abuse of raising children to be “Martyrs”; the oppression of women, including “Honor Killings”; the persecution of Christians; and the hideous “Pay-for-Slay”, where both Hamas and the “Palestinian Authority” pay the families of Muslims who have murdered Jews.
“Rod” has been commenting here for many years, so it cannot be the case that he has missed all of this.
So–horrifically–one can only conclude that he *approves* of it. *Ugh*.
Rod says
What is happening in the USA is a predictable consequence of long-term stupidity and ignorance. The world has watched this worsening over years, incredulous. Responsible rational citizens should be seeking answers and solutions (unlike the White House incumbent who so often opts to incite more hatred and division).
But instead, here, a tiny band of fanatics, oblivious to the ongoing ever worsening catastrophe surrounding them, spend their days, every day, sharing and luxuriating in hatred of others, and preaching intolerance. It’s hard to know whether pity or contempt is more appropriate.
Should you perhaps, at this frightening moment, pause to take stock. What you are doing is utterly pointless. Does more hatred achieve anything at all? Even if a dozen others share in it?
PS. I note the obligatory insults. Ill-informed as usual, many wildly irrational.
wpm says
What” positive things” do you or Islam bring to the table of “peace” Rod ?
What is your solution?
What Majority Islamic country practices freedom of religion ,freedom of speech,is not actively suppressing non-Muslims or Muslims from the wrong branch of Islam?
What does President Trump have to do with a bad cop who killed someone,Trump publicly condemn the act,and has federal prosecutors looking into pressing charges against the other cops at the seen.He has reached out and contacted to the family Mr. Floyd.How many Muslim organizations actively condemn Jihad?
How are the people on this website responsible or encouraging violence ,do they call for violence or terrorist acts or rioting to change Muslim,s minds on what Islam is about?Or do they point out direct quotes in Islamic “Holy books” about killing,enslaving,raping,non-Muslims in the name of Allah.Then bring in modern day examples of Muslims doing this in Jihad everyday in every corner of the world.Pointing out that we do not want to be raped ,killed ,or enslaved ,to satisfy or in the name of allah upsets you so ,we should all go quietly into the night and disappear?
Rod says
I haven’t mentioned Muslims wpm, while you seem to be obsessed with them. Nor have I said you are inciting violence. The rest of the world is concerned about the terrible events convulsing the American nation. I’m afraid I don’t have a solution, but I don’t think hatred of Muslims will help. Is that hard to understand?
gravenimage says
“Rod’s” pretending that his constant whitewash of Islam has nothing to do with Muslims is ridiculous.
gravenimage says
Jihadists have slaughtered almost 37,000 people just since 9/11, and “Rod” is pretending that this is eclipsed by these riots, which as bad as they have been already seem to be dying down.
Note that “Rod” considers opposing the horrors of Islam to be “pointless”–in other words, we should consider Jihad terror attacks and creeping Shari’ah to be the “new normal”, which I would accept even less than a perpetual state of rioting in the streets.
And thousands of people read Jihad Watch–*far* more than post here. The idea that it is only a dozen people who oppose Jihad terror could not be more false.
So what is “Rod’s” purpose here? Just to tell us that our opposing these horrors is pointless and that we have to bow to the “inevitable” Islamization of America and the West.
Too bad for him, but this story–small as it is–is proof that this is most assuredly *not* the case.
Note, too, that he *still* refuses to say anything critical of the savagery of “Palestinian” society.
Rod says
Jihadists have slaughtered 37,000 people since 9/11?
There are now about 15,000 gun related murders in the USA per year. Plus those committed with knives, clubs, etc. And 9/11 was 18 years ago. Lets say 10,000 murders per year on average (10,000 x 18 = murders of Americans by Americans since 9/11). An appalling total. In fact, horrific. Rather more than 37,000? You do the maths.
It’s hard to avoid the obvious conclusion about the dangers posed by jihadists vs the danger Americans pose to each other. (And let’s not even think about Afghan or Iraqi civilians killed since 9/11).
So you prefer to demonise others. Interesting! Are you perhaps a little misguided? Irrational?
Yes, I’ve said nothing about the Palestinians. You’ve said nothing about Tibetans. So can I conclude that you approve of the oppression they suffer? (Sorry if that argument is too subtle for you.)
Rod says
Last year, more than 1000 Americans were killed by…… not jihadists, not Muslim fanatics, but………..by police!
What sort of society tolerates, causes, needs, such things to happen?
So, jihad “watchers”, why don’t you “watch” what’s happening UNDER YOUR OWN NOSES?????
OLD GUY says
As a prior Illinois resident I’am happy to see that the people in his district voted on behalf of the district they live in rather than world views.