VA attorney required to undergo counseling after mocking Israeli hostages in social media video

An attorney at the Veterans Affairs department was required to undergo counseling after a video spread around social media of her mocking Israeli hostages.

The appellate attorney for the VA’s Office of the General Counsel, Shekeba Morrad, got into a controversy after posting a video of herself on social media, which appeared to be mocking Israeli citizens showing fear about being taken by terrorists in the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas. 

The video was deleted, but saved by multiple people who reposted it, resulting in more criticism of the department. 

VA Secretary Denis McDonough called the video “inaccurate, abhorrent, and insensitive," in a statement on Friday, according to the Military Times.

While Morrad was not fired, she was required to undergo counseling and complete harassment prevention and accountability training.

“Let me be clear: I condemn antisemitism in the strongest terms possible. It is inconsistent with our core values of integrity, commitment, advocacy, respect, and excellence,” McDonough said.

“There’s no space at VA for hate, not least because it hinders our ability to care for veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors who represent every race, creed, gender and belief and who swore an oath to defend the Constitution," the statement continued.