Veterans Endorse Qasim Rashid in 2024’s First Gaza-Focused Election
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 8, 2024
MEDIA CONTACT
Jacob Thomas, Communications Director
Veterans Endorse Qasim Rashid in 2024’s First Gaza-Focused Election
AURORA, IL – Common Defense, the nation’s largest grassroots veterans organization, has thrown its support behind Qasim Rashid in his bid to challenge incumbent Rep. Foster in Illinois’ 11th District. Rep. Foster’s refusal to call for a ceasefire in Gaza has become a defining issue of the race, and was key to the Common Defense endorsement as part of the organization’s ongoing campaign to End the Forever Wars.
"Qasim Rashid shares our commitment to ending Forever Wars," said Naveed Shah, a US Army Iraq veteran and Political Director of Common Defense. “We need representatives who have the courage and foresight to speak out against policies that escalate conflict in the Middle East. With this first ‘Gaza primary’ of 2024, our members are excited to have a new voice for justice and peace in Congress.”
Early voting begins today in Illinois amid growing tensions over Gaza within the Democratic Party that were underscored by the Chicago City Council’s recent vote to call for a permanent ceasefire, divisions in Congress over a new aid package for Israel, and spending by pro-Israel PACs to fund primary campaigns against progressives. But IL-11 will be the first opportunity in 2024 for Democrats to register their opinions on Gaza in an election.
“Qasim listens to and respects our military and veteran community; with Qasim, we will have a champion who keeps veterans at the table instead of just bringing us out for personal political gain.” — Jessica Motsinger, US Navy veteran and Illinois resident.
Disclosure: Qasim Rashid is a valued member of Common Defense Civic Engagement (CDCE), the 501(c)(4) organization affiliated with Common Defense Action Fund. In 2022, prior to joining the CDCE board, Rashid also joined the 501(c)(3) Common Defense Education Fund (CDEF) on a delegation to the Occupied Palestinian Territories in the West Bank.
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Common Defense is a grassroots, veteran-led organization founded in 2016. We empower veterans to stand up for our communities against the rising tide of racism, hate, and violence, to organize against the entrenched power of greedy billionaires who have rigged our economy, and to champion an equitable and representative democracy where “liberty and justice” truly is for all. For too long, politicians from both political parties have attempted to use veterans as unwilling political props. Common Defense serves as a home for veterans to organize and speak for themselves and support the candidates who genuinely share our values. The candidates we endorse reflect our values as an organization, and our member-driven endorsement process ensures that the candidates have grassroots support.