Green Party leader and presidential candidate Dr. Jill Stein has selected Dr. Bilal (Butch) Ware, an associate professor at the University of California-Santa Barbara, as her running mate. Ware has drawn significant attention for his controversial statements, including sharing pro-Hamas content and describing Israel as a “white supremacist Zionist project” that should be “stabbed in the heart.”
In her announcement on Sunday, Stein praised Ware, saying, “I’m honored and thrilled to welcome Butch Ware as my running mate and the Vice President we need at this moment in history. His personal experience overcoming systemic injustice, his deep knowledge of history and people’s movements, and his commitment to building a sustainable, just, peaceful world make Butch the ideal candidate.”
Stein further highlighted the historic nature of their ticket, stating, “This is truly a historic ticket bringing together a Jewish woman and Black Muslim man against genocide, endless war, climate collapse, and rampant injustice, and for an economy that works for working people, a livable future for our children, and an America and a world that works for all of us.”
Ware’s past statements have been highly controversial. Following the October 7 attacks last year, Ware shared a video supporting Hamas and claimed that the group did nothing wrong, comparing them to Nelson Mandela. He has also referred to Israel as “the beast” that should be “stabbed in the heart,” comments made during a discussion on “Black and Palestinian Liberation from an Islamic Perspective.”
Ware has frequently posted on social media about his views on Israel, often framing it within the context of colonialism and criticizing what he perceives as the “complicity” of Black Americans in supporting Israel. He has been particularly harsh in his language, referring to certain Black Americans who support Israel as “uncle tom, uncle ruckus, house negroes,” and expressing disappointment in their stance.
These statements and views have sparked significant controversy, adding to the already intense scrutiny surrounding Stein’s campaign.