Minneapolis City Council Member Jamal Osman has apologized for making antisemitic and anti-gay comments on Facebook from 2011 to 2013, calling Israelis “dogs” and speaking approvingly of Hitler.
Osman, who was elected in the 6th Ward in a special election in 2020 and is up for re-election in 2023, took to Facebook in October 2012 to argue in favor of a proposed constitutional amendment that would have banned gay marriage.
Osman has said on social media he plans to run for re-election.
Asked about the posts, Osman apologized in a statement to the Reformer.
“Over a decade ago I made comments about the Jewish community, Israel, and the GLBTQ+ community on social media. I explicitly and absolutely repudiate and disavow everything about these comments. It does not reflect how I feel about Jewish people or faith or the GLBTQ+ community. The friends and allies I have in the both of these communities expect more of me, and I am sorry to them.”
Osman said he doesn’t recall making the comments, but said “The heat of social media has a tendency to invite inflamed commentary, responses when you’re ignorant about issues, and sometimes to depersonalize and dehumanize the people who you interact with.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey released a statement saying Osman’s comments were “divisive and dangerous for Jewish and LGBTQ people.” He said Osman “apologized unequivocally and expressed deep remorse.”
“I forgive him, and trust he has learned from this,” Frey said. “In the age of social media, our public discourse can benefit both from recognizing our common humanity before making such comments and from forgiveness for people who make a sincere effort to repair harm they have caused.”
Osman said he’s grown and passed through several life stages since he wrote the posts. He graduated from college, got married and was exposed to diverse communities.
Minneapolis Councilman Jamal Osman apologizes for anti-gay, antisemitic posts • Minnesota Reformer
Osman apologized for the comments and said he's changed.
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