Tlaib Censured for Israel-Hamas Rhetoric, Defense of 'River to the Sea' Slogan - Israel News - Haaretz.com
By: Ben Samuels (Haaretz. com)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Tlaib Censured for Israel-Hamas Rhetoric, Defense of 'River to the Sea' Slogan
Rep. Rashida Tlaib - the only Palestinian American in Congress - accused of calling for 'the destruction of the State of Israel and genocide of the Jewish people'
WASHINGTON - Rep. Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian-American lawmaker in Congress, was formally censured by the House on Tuesday over her rhetoric on the Israel-Hamas war.
22 Democrats voted alongside Republicans to censure Tlaib , demonstrating the deep resentment brewing among pro-Israel Democrats over the Michigan lawmaker's remarks, particularly her defense of the slogan "from the river to the sea."
The move is the most significant formal rebuke of a member of Congress for criticizing Israel in its history. While Rep. Ilhan Omar was removed from the House Foreign Affairs Committee over her previous Israel remarks, that vote was divided along party lines.
It follows a failed effort last week, spearheaded by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, that focused on Tlaib's support for Jewish activists who staged a protest in the Capitol demanding a ceasefire.
"But let me be clear: My criticism has always been of the Israeli government and Netanyahu’s actions. It is important to separate people and governments, Mr. Chair. No government is beyond criticism. The idea that criticizing the government of Israel is antisemitic sets a very dangerous precedent, and it’s being used to silence diverse voices speaking up for human rights across our nation," Tlaib said earlier in the day.
"Echoing slogans that are widely understood as calling for the complete destruction of Israel — such as from the River to the Sea — does not advance progress toward a two-state solution," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a statement earlier in the day, in a not-so-subtle rebuke of his fellow Democrat.
70 House Democrats issued a joint statement condemning the use of the phrase "from the river to the sea," decrying it as a call for "the destruction of the State of Israel and genocide of the Jewish people."
The statement comes amid three separate Republican efforts to censure Rep. Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian-American in Congress, over her defense of the slogan amid her ongoing criticisms of Israel's war in Gaza and the Biden administration's continued support.
"This war is tragic and deeply painful for everyone, especially those who identify with the land and the people - Christians, Jews, and Muslims alike. Every civilian killed, every family torn apart, Palestinian and Israeli, is a tragedy. Every human being deserves dignity and respect, and each of us must do all we can to always see the humanity of the innocent people caught in the middle of this war," said the lawmakers - led by Reps. Brad Schneider, Hilary Scholten, Ritchie Torres and Norma Torres.
The 22 Democrats to vote in favor of censure were Reps. Steve Cohen, Jim Costa, Angie Craig, Don Davis, Lois Frankel, Jared Golden, Dan Goldman, Josh Gottheimer, Greg Landsman, Susie Lee, Kathy Manning, Jared Moskowitz, Wiley Nickel, Chris Pappas, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Pat Ryan, Brad Schneider, Kim Schrier, Darren Soto, Ritchie Torres, Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Frederica Wilson.
Tlaib's 2024 re-election campaign is already fundraising off the censure resolution, noting "the House just voted to censure Rashida for calling the Israeli military's attacks on Palestinian civilians what it is: Genocide."
Democratic Majority for Israel , originally founded by pollster Mark Mellman to offset the growing Democratic flank openly critical of Israel, took out a six-figure, 30-second TV ad in Tlaib’s home district of Michigan last week over her rhetoric, though neither DMFI nor AIPAC have yet to support a primary challenger against her.
While the censure of a lawmaker carries no practical effect, it amounts to a severe reproach from colleagues, as lawmakers who are censured are asked to stand in the well of the House as the censure resolution against them is read aloud.
With the vote, Tlaib will become the second Muslim-American woman in Congress to be formally admonished this year for her criticism of the Jewish state. Rep. Ilhan Omar, R-Minn., was removed in February from the House Foreign Affairs Committee for similar comments she made about Israel.
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I have a little bit of sympathy for Tlaib's position as she is the only Palestinian -American in Congress and probably feels a duty to speak up for the Palestinians, but echoing a slogan that has been associated with terrorists is a terrible mistake (if it was a mistake). She got what she deserved and maybe now will learn to think before talking.
Not surprised that you have sympathy for her, considering your comment history on this whole sordid and sad affair.
If your next comment is not about Tlaib it is going to be deleted.
I get what you are saying, but you have to be able to recognize that when the people you feel some connection to cross the line you cannot stand by them. If you do you become complicit.
Echoing a slogan that clearly is a call for genocide and then trying to pretend that it actually means something else is incredibly stupid. She needs to admit she was wrong, condemn Hamas, and hope for forgiveness.
The fact that she stuck with the slogan even after several in her party told her it was wrong to use that slogan makes me believe it was not a mistake. It is obvious that she is speaking specifically to her constituents and that is probably why she used the phrase and did not back down. Of course that brings up another concern about her constituents.
And the Democrats who so vociferously defend her...
this level of nuts shouldn't be allowed to vote at all, let alone in Congress
There aren't any.
The ones that voted against censure supported her rhetoric
Except the ones that voted against censure