Chicago pol slammed for appearing to celebrate Iranian attack on Israel: ‘Free Palestine’
A Chicago politician was slammed by the Israeli consulate after she appeared to cheer Iran’s attack on Israel with a pro-Palestinian post — but later claimed she hadn’t seen the latest news when she made the post.
Rossana Rodriguez, a councilwoman representing Chicago’s 33rd ward, posted “Free Palestine,” just hours after news began rolling in about Iran’s rocket attack Saturday on Israel.
Rodriguez, who has been outspoken about accusing Israel of genocide and demanding a ceasefire since the war in Gaza started following Hamas’ October 7 attack, quickly began facing flack over the post.
“We condemn in the strongest terms this Chicago Alderwoman’s celebration of Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel,” the Israeli consulate in the Windy City posted on X.
“This is the same Alderwoman behind the highly controversial ‘ceasefire’ resolution. We see a pattern – not aiming for peace, but for Israel’s destruction.”
The consulate called for Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to speak out about Rodriguez’s post.
Another commenter said: “Can you please discuss the timing of this tweet? I thought you wanted a ceasefire?”
“Very interesting to see the “ceasefire now” crowd celebrate the escalation of the conflict into a regional war,” said another.
Catch up on the latest news of Iran’s attack on Israel
- How Israel defeated 99% of Iran missiles and drones — with the help of US and an unlikely ally
- Oil prices expected to rise after Iran attack on Israel
- ‘Biden is weak’: President draws fire for muted response to Iran attack on Israel
- 7-year-old Arab girl is only known casualty of Iran attack
- Biden tells Netanyahu US will not engage in counteroffensive against Iran, calls Saturday a win for Israel: report
Several hours later Rodriguez defended the timing of her post, claiming she’d just gotten off a flight and hadn’t seen the news when she made the post.
“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,” she wrote.
“I’ve been saying Free Palestine for decades & specially the last few months. I do not celebrate war or the loss of human life in any way,” she added, calling her critics the “same people who have been cheering on a genocide.”
Rodriguez’s office didn’t immediately respond to request for comment Sunday.
Iran launched a barrage of about 300 suicide drones and missiles at the Jewish state on Saturday night — but miraculously, nearly all the weapons were shot down but defensive systems, according to Israeli media.
Only one casualty — a 7-year-old Bedouin girl — has been identified so far.
The missiles were launched from Iran, with Israeli air defenses — with the help of US , French, and UK ships and warplanes — shooting them out of the sky.
Fighter jets from Jordan also assisted, though the middle eastern country claimed it was not helping Israel but rather defending its own air space.
