DHS Officer Praises Hamas Attacks: 'Ready' for Israel's Downfall

A U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employee has been placed on administrative leave for public comments she has made in support of Hamas and against Israel as the Middle East conflict continues to unfold.

The heaviest-ever Israeli strikes following Hamas' October 7 attack have killed at least 2,778 people and wounded 9,700 more in Gaza—including a reported two-thirds of victims who were children, the Associated Press reported, citing the Gaza Health Ministry. Authorities said approximately 1,200 people in Gaza are believed to be buried under rubble, some alive and some dead.

More than 1,400 people have been killed in Israel as of Wednesday, according to the AP, as both sides of the conflict are blaming each other after a Christian hospital in Gaza was bombed on Tuesday, with over 500 reported deaths.

Nejwa Ali is a Palestinian and DHS employee who has scrutinized Israel in wake of the initial Hamas attack that has reignited the conflict, according to multiple social media accounts.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) spokesperson Matthew Bourke told Newsweek on Wednesday evening that Ali had been placed on leave. He did not say for how long or whether there were any further ramifications.

She uses the Facebook moniker "Falastine Mi Amor" to post publicly, as well as an Instagram profile of the same name.

"Palestinians have been suffering under Israel's brutal, illegal, military, APARTHEID occupation for more than 75 years," Ali wrote on October 7. "F*** Israel, the government, and its military @stateofisrael @timesofisrael are you ready for your downfall...because we are ready for our freedom.

"Israel and every Israel has to remember one thing: respect our existence or expect resistance. Simple. No apologies. #freepalestine."

One day later she published this post: "Free Palestine and F*** APARTHEID Israel, and any Israeli that supports the bullshit. Your privilege is blinding, apparently, but ignorance is not bliss and I hold every Israeli accountable for their governments actions, IF they do not speak against Israel and the Israeli military."

Numerous other posts in the days since have mimicked the same message, again referring to Israel as an "apartheid state" whose government and military are "solely responsible for the attack."

A Facebook post on Wednesday encouraged people to "be on the right side of history." It included another expletive towards Israel.

Ali's Facebook profile shows her being from Dearborn, Michigan, which boasts the largest Muslim population in one city across the entire United States.

"Palestine will be free one day," she wrote on her Instagram page of the same name, according to The Daily Wire. "F*** APARTHEID Israel and any Israeli that supports that bull****. F*** you, may Allah forgive you. and spare us the crocodile tears, I sure as hell give zero f***s."

Nejwa Ali and DHS

Her LinkedIn profile says she has served full time at DHS since January 2019, first as an asylum officer who adjudicate immigration benefits and conducted interviews with applicants, dependents, attorneys and interpreters based on immigration laws and regulations, among other duties.

In January of this year, her role changed to adjudication officer for USCIS, an agency within DHS that handles the processing and adjudicating of applications for work visas, asylum and citizenship.

"USCIS strongly condemns antisemitism and the use of violent rhetoric in any form," Bourke said. "USCIS employees are held to high ethical standards both on and off duty, including their presence on social media. Any violation of these standards is taken seriously by the agency."

The USCIS employee handbook, which contains guidelines for an employee's use of social media, warns employees who represent DHS to not write or post anything that would discredit the agency via "discriminatory, obscene, harassing or intimidating messages or materials."

That includes being respectful of all applicants and petitioners, treating them faily and humanely without discrimination based on race, nationality, religion, gender or other demographic factors.

Prior to being employed by DHS, Ali was a former spokeswoman for the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) in 2016 and 2017, according to The Daily Wire. The Trump administration got rid of that Washington D.C.-based office.

The USCIS handbook also says that all applicants are "thoroughly vetted and subject to extensive security and background checks" prior to being offered permanent positions.

Asked by The Daily Wire if she disclosed her employment with the PLO to DHS, she reportedly replied, "That's none of your f****** business. Mind your business before I call the police. If I were you I'd respectfully hang up the phone right now."

Ali also reportedly stated that her personal views do not affect her ability to do her job.

Newsweek reached out to Ali via social media for comment.

"Knowing Biden DHS, this person will probably be the next head of the Disinformation Board," Republican Senator Josh Hawley wrote on X, formerly Twitter, regarding Ali.

Hawley added: "DHS needs to explain, immediately, if and why they hired a pro-terrorist, pro-violence anti-Semite, and why this person is still employed by the Biden Administration."

When reached for comment, a spokesperson for Hawley referred Newsweek to the senator's posts.

The spokesperson did not respond to questions of whether DHS should take any specific action against her, like suspension or termination—or whether organizational higher-ups, like Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas or others, should be held accountable for her hiring or recent comments.

A group of progressive Democrats in the House of Representatives, including Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, introduced a resolution on Monday calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East. It put extra pressure on the Biden administration as the president met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday.

Update 10/19/23, 8:18 a.m. ET: This story was updated with a comment from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

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