HALLANDALE BEACH, Florida — A Jewish commissioner from Hallandale Beach has accused a Muslim congresswoman from Michigan of being an anti-Semite who might “blow up Capitol Hill.”

Her comments were directed at U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, who sparked a political firestorm soon after being sworn in to Congress on Jan. 3 by vowing to help fellow Democrats go after President Trump and “impeach the mother——.”

Five days later, Hallandale Commissioner Annabelle Lima-Taub signed an online petition seeking to remove Tlaib from office and posted the petition on her personal Facebook page.

“Proudly signed,” Lima-Taub wrote. “A Hamas-loving anti-Semite has NO place in government! She is a danger and [I] would not put it past her to become a martyr and blow up Capitol Hill.”

Muslim Advocates called for the resignation of Commissioner Lima-Taub and demanded that the commissioner apologize for her racist remarks.

“Hate speech should have no place in our politics,” Muslim Advocates’ Public Advocacy Director Scott Simpson said in a statement. “We condemn Commissioner Lima-Taub’s deeply offensive words and call on her to resign as Hallandale Beach commissioner immediately. There is no religious litmus test to hold public office in the United States and any politician who would spout this kind of vile anti-Muslim rhetoric is clearly not fit to govern.”

“That level of racism and bigotry has no place in Florida’s politics,” said Vetnah Monessar, state director for Emgage, a nonprofit focused on civic engagement among Muslim Americans. “Muslims are part of the fabric of this country.”

“We demand that Commissioner Taub apologize to her constituents and the general public,” Simpson added in the statement.

Tlaib, a Palestinian American, made history as one of the first two Muslim women to ever serve in Congress.

It was unclear Monday whether the comment was reported to federal authorities.

The Facebook post was removed sometime Monday afternoon after the South Florida Sun Sentinel began making inquiries.

Lima-Taub could not be reached for comment Monday despite two calls to her cell phone from the South Florida Sun Sentinel. Tlaib could not be reached for comment despite a message left with her Washington office.

However, three Hallandale Beach commissioners blasted their colleague Lima-Tau for her lack of discretion — but stopped short of saying they would demand an apology.

Commissioners Michele Lazarow and Mike Butler accused Lima-Taub of promoting a racist stereotype that all Muslims are terrorists.

“Commissioner Lima-Taub’s behavior is indefensible and a black eye for Hallandale Beach,” Lazarow said.

Vice Mayor Sabrina Javellana said she was stunned by what she called Lima-Taub’s “outrageous” accusation.

Rasha Mubarak, president of the Young Democrats of Orange County, also urged Lima-Taub to apologize for her “outlandish” remarks.

“I find her comments repulsive and jarring, considering she’s an elected official,” Mubarak said from Orlando. “This language is dangerous, violent and unproductive. There is no room for hate in Florida politics.”

• By Susannah Bryan  |  South Florida Sun Sentinel, edited by The Arab American News for style and additional contents.