Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib Censured Over Israel Comments

What's the story?

• On Tuesday, 22 House Democrats sided with nearly every Republican lawmaker in censuring Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), the only Palestinian-American in Congress, for comments they argue are anti-Israel. 
• The resolution to formally censure Rep. Tlaib passed 235-188 and said her comments "call for the destruction of Israel" and promote "false narratives."
• The resolution also condemned Rep. Tlaib's use of the phrase "from the river to the sea," which the Anti-Defamation League has called an antisemitic call for the destruction of Israel. Rep. Tlaib said the slogan was not antisemitic, but rather "an aspirational call for freedom, human rights and peaceful coexistence, not death, destruction or hate."

What lawmakers are saying

• After the resolution was passed, a group of progressive female Democratic lawmakers known as "the Squad" embraced Rep. Tlaib and offered their support.
• Rep. Rich McCormick (R-Ga.) pushed the measure, saying that Rep. Tlaib's earlier comments calling for an end to "the apartheid system that creates the suffocating, dehumanizing conditions that can lead to resistance" was a defense of terrorism.
• Rep. Ayanna S. Pressley (D-Mass.) called the resolution "blatantly Islamophobic, anti-democratic and an utter waste of time."
• Minority leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) criticized Rep. Tlaib, saying:

"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. Instead, it unacceptably risks further polarization, division and incitement to violence."

Rep. Tlaib's response

• Rep. Tlaib said:

"I will not be silenced and I will not let you distort my words. No government is beyond criticism. The idea that criticizing the government of Israel is antisemitic sets a very dangerous precedent, and it's been used to silence diverse voices speaking up for human rights across our nation."

• She continued:

"I can't believe I have to say this, but Palestinian people are not disposable. The cries of the Palestinian and Israeli children sound no different to me. What I don't understand is why the cries of Palestinians sound different to you all."

• She argued that her criticism has always been of the Israeli government, and not the Israeli people.

Do you agree with the censure of Rep. Tlaib? Tell your reps

-Emma Kansiz

(Photo Credit: House of Representatives TV)