In a recent development, the executive committee of the Texas GOP voted to exclude a clause from a pro-Israel resolution that would have prohibited Republicans from associating with individuals who deny the Holocaust or sympathize with Nazis.
The Texas Tribune reported that the committee decided against the clause with a vote of 32 to 29.
The discarded clause would have barred party members from associating with individuals who "espouse or tolerate antisemitism, pro-Nazi sympathies or Holocaust denial," as reported by The Texas Tribune.
However, some committee members expressed concerns over the ambiguity of terms such as "tolerate" and "antisemitism." They argued that the ban resembled "leftist" tactics and could pose challenges for the party, according to the same source.
Committee member Dan Tully voiced his apprehension, stating that the clause could lead the party down a "slippery slope." This decision comes in the wake of an incident two months ago when former Republican Texas state representative Jonathan Stickland was seen meeting with white nationalist Nick Fuentes, a self-proclaimed Hitler admirer who has advocated for a "holy war" against Jews.
The Texas Tribune captured images of Fuentes entering Pale Horse Strategies, a conservative consulting agency owned by Stickland, in October. Following this meeting, nearly half of the executive committee demanded that the party discontinue its association with Defend Texas Liberty, a political action committee led by Stickland, as reported by the outlet.
The controversial clause in the pro-Israel resolution was suggested as an alternative to severing ties with Defense Texas Liberty, according to the report.
Despite the controversy, the committee eventually approved the resolution without the contentious provision, as reported by the Rome News-Tribune, a local newspaper.
Committee member Rolando Garcia, who drafted the clause, expressed his disappointment at its removal, stating that it "sends a disturbing message." He clarified, "We're not specifying any individual or association.
This is simply a statement of principle," as reported by The Tribune. The Texas GOP has not yet responded to a request for comment from Business Insider.
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