An attorney for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is under investigation amid calls for her resignation after she posted a video mocking the hostage situation in Israel.
On Tuesday, the Department of Veterans Affairs vowed to take “appropriate action” in its investigation of Shekeba Morrad, an appellate attorney for the Office of the General Counsel in the federal branch.
Morrad earned swift rebuke after posting a video of herself on Instagram in which she disparaged Israelis who are pleading for the return of hostages taken by Hamas terrorists when they attacked the country on October 7.
“We just want our hostages back. Give us our 200 hostages,” Morrad mocked in the since-deleted video which was later shared on X.
Canary Mission, which according to its X account profile “exposes hatred and antisemitism on college campuses and beyond,” shared Morrad’s video which was reportedly first posted on November 12.
Shakeba Morrad, an appellate attorney at Office of General Counsel for U.S. @DeptVetAffairs, posted (& later deleted) a video of herself on Instagram mocking Israelis pleading for the return of their citizens being held hostage by Hamas. WATCH it on X: https://t.co/f5L8ICEvVr pic.twitter.com/GpR7mgK6D2
— Canary Mission (@canarymission) November 27, 2023
Terrence Hayes, a spokesman for Veterans Affairs, acknowledged the investigation into Morrad’s post.
“We cannot imagine the trauma that those who have been held hostage by Hamas, including our fellow Americans, have experienced,” he told the Washington Examiner. “There is no place at VA for antisemitism or any expression of bigotry or hatred.”
“We are aware of this incident, are investigating the matter, and will take any appropriate action,” Hayes added,
According to the Washington Examiner:
As for Morrad, the Veterans Affairs attorney appears to have been previously registered to practice law in New York, according to open records, which note she attended Syracuse University. Morrad was identified in August 2022 Veterans Affairs advisory committee documents as a “staff attorney” for the office of general counsel.
ADVERTISEMENTShe was also quoted in a December 2021 Axios article on Afghanistan refugees as a “lawyer in the D.C. metro area and volunteer helping to coordinate resettlement efforts.”
Morrad is just the latest in a line of federal employees openly supporting Hamas and criticizing Israel on social media.
Lawmakers and others condemned Morrad’s video and demanded she be fired.
“This is unacceptable,” Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., said on X. “Antisemitism has no place at the VA and this behavior should not be tolerated. @SecVetAffairs should remove this employee immediately.”
“I expect the @DeptVetAffairs to investigate and address this blatant antisemitism immediately,” Florida GOP Sen. Rick Scott wrote on X. “How heartless do you have to be to mock families working day and night to get their loved ones home?! Hatred doesn’t belong in our federal government.”
Actress Patricia Heaton expressed her disgust on X, writing, “What the actual…? WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?!?!?!”
@ShirionOrg How do we have an Attorney representing a branch of government mocking hostages?!?!?
— Shoshanna (@Shoshanna6) November 27, 2023
I hope the VA takes action. This person should not be representing veterans in any capacity.
— Dave Burke (@Berklyhunt11) November 28, 2023
What astounds me is how the hate inside these people has totally blinded them to the very real consequences of spouting vitriolic Jew Hate.
Like, no Shakeba, you can’t be GC of a FEDERAL AGENCY & openly support #HamasTerrorists who celebrated 9/11 & are an enemy of the #USA.
— The Persian Jewess (@persianjewess) November 28, 2023
This is beyond the pale…@SecVetAffairs you really need to get your house in order.
Stop putting those who served this nation alongside myself in the hands of supporters of terror and antisemitism.
— Chet Long (@RealChetBLong) November 28, 2023
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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