The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) applauded the reported departure of Linda Sarsour, Tamika Mallory and Bob Bland from the board of the Women’s March, all of whom have tolerated and promoted anti-Semitism.

However, anti-Semitism problems still plague the board:  Despite a troubling anti-Semitic record, Carmen Perez is reportedly remaining in her position as co-chair.  In addition, one of the newly added board members, Zahra Billoo, who is executive director of the San Francisco Bay area chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, has repeatedly promoted hatred and lies about Israel and denied Israel’s right to exist.  Both Perez and Billoo must go.    

Perez’s Record: 

• At the first meeting of what would become the Women’s March, Perez and Mallory reportedly told the group’s founders, “Jewish people bore a special collective responsibility as exploiters of black and brown people.”

• After the first march in 2017, Evvie Harmon, one of the original Women’s March organizers, told Tablet that Perez and Mallory were “berating” another early organizer, Vanessa Wruble, for being Jewish, with words of “Your people this, your people that.”

Billoo’s Record:

• In July 2014, Billoo tweeted, “Blaming Hamas for firing rockets at [Apartheid] Israel is like blaming a woman for punching her rapist’

• In February 2015, Billoo tweeted, I’m more afraid of racist Zionists who support Apartheid Israel than of the mentally ill young people the #FBI recruits to join ISIS.”

• In April 2015, Billoo tweeted, “Israel commits war crimes and terrorism as a hobby.”

• In July 2018, Billoo tweeted, “JUST IN CASE THE ZIONISTS DIDN’T HEAR ME: “Israel is an apartheid, racist state, which engages in terrorism against Palestinians.”

Susan B. Tuchman, Esq., director of the ZOA’s Center for Law and Justice, praised the departures of Sarsour, Mallory and Bland from the Women’s March board, and strongly urged the Women’s March to drop Perez and Billoo from the board immediately:  “On my own behalf and on behalf of the men and women at the ZOA who are proud Jews, strong Zionists, and committed feminists, we are glad that there’s been some much-needed housecleaning on the board of the Women’s March. 

“But there’s more to do to give integrity to this organization.  Bigots – and that includes anyone who promotes the hatred of Jews and Israel – should be condemned and shunned, not welcomed, by the Women’s March. The organization must cuts ties with Perez, Billoo and anyone else who is tainted by anti-Semitism or any other bigotry, so that the Women’s March can move forward and truly be an advocate for women’s rights and human rights.”