Michigan Democratic Socialist Rep. Rashida Tlaib is increasingly vilified by her own party for defending a controversial pro-Palestinian chant — signaling the “Squad may be in danger of re-election over her Israel stance.
Tlaib — a member of the so-called “Squad” of far-left House members — last week defend the phrase“From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” which Zionist groups see as a call to destroy Israel and commit genocide against the Jews.
Tlaib asserted that the chant “is an aspirational call for freedom, human rights, and peaceful coexistence, not death, destruction, or hatred.” It refers to the land that includes both Israel and Palestine from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea.
His defense of the divisive phrase came after he posted a video of people chanting it.
But many fellow Democrats were quick to voice their dismay at Tlaib, the first Palestinian American elected to Congress, reflecting a growing divide among Democrats over the war in Israel.
Michigan Democratic Representative Rashida Tlaib became the first Palestinian American — and one of two Muslim women — elected to Congress in 2018.AP
As the only Jewish member of MI’s congressional delegation, I have made an effort to reach out to Arab & Muslim voters who I know are feeling scared and sad right now, & I have tried to reflect that empathy in my approach to this crisis. I asked the same thing @RepRashida. (1/3)
— Rep. Elissa Slotkin (@RepSlotkin) November 5, 2023
“As the only Jewish member of MI’s congressional delegation, I have tried to reach out to Arab & Muslim voters who I know are feeling scared and sad right now, & I have tried to reflect that empathy in my approach to this crisis. I asked @RepRashida the same thing,” said Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.).
“The phrase ‘from the river to the sea’ is divisive & violent, & it is counterproductive to promoting peace. None of us, especially elected leaders, should empower language that inflames tensions,” he added.
“If I know that a phrase I used has hurt any of my constituents, I will apologize & withdraw it, regardless of its origin.”
Michigan Rep. Dem. Elissa Slotkin, who is running for a Senate seat, said no one “should be amplifying language that creates tension.” Getty Images
Several House Democrats also circulated statements rejecting the use of the phrase, though they avoided going after Tlaib by name.
“We reject the use of the phrase ‘from the river to the sea’ — a phrase used by many, including Hamas, as a call to destroy the State of Israel and the genocide of the Jewish people. We are all deeply saddened by the human suffering caused by the war in Gaza,” they said.
Lawmakers who signed the statement include Representatives Brad Schneider (D-Ill.), Hillary Scholten (D-Mich.), Dan Goldman (D-NY) and Jared Huffman (D-Calif.).
“Likewise ‘From the river to the sea. . .’ or verbally support/not condemn Hamas whose charter clearly calls for the destruction of Israel & the killing of Jews. I encourage those who earnestly seek a truce to separate themselves from this message. Make it clear you disagree,” wrote Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY).
This is the statement distributed by Rep. Schneider, Scholten and Torress who rejected “from the river to the sea” – a pro-Palestinian phrase defended by Rep. Tlaib.
Goldman and Huffman also signed. pic.twitter.com/NCJGGP4yiF
— Andrew Solender (@AndrewSolender) November 6, 2023
Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-Mich.) signed a statement condemning the use of the phrase “from river to sea.” Getty Images
Ditto “From river to sea. . .” or verbal support/non-condemnation of Hamas whose charter clearly calls for the destruction of Israel & the killing of Jews. I encourage those earnestly seeking a cease-fire to disassociate themselves from this message. Make it clear you disagree. https://t.co/ GijUxJ7OSk
— Rep. Nadler (@RepJerryNadler) November 5, 2023
Tlaib has refused to stick to his position on the war in Israel even in the face of pressure from within his own party and has lashed out at top Democrats – including the president.
“Joe Biden supports the massacre of Palestinians,” he said in a video caption posted Friday, apparently referring to US support for Israeli military retaliation against Palestinian-occupied Gaza after the Oct. 7 massacre by the Palestinian terror group Hamas that killed more people. . of 1,400 Israelites.
“The American people will never forget. Biden, support the ceasefire now,” Tlaib wrote.
Last Wednesday, the House voted to present a resolution introduced by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) to denounce Tlaib. Greene has recalibrated the resolution and plans to resubmit it.
Democrats supported Tlaib during that vote.
Rep. Tlaib does not seem ready to back down despite pressure from party figures.Getty Images
But there are some liberal firepower rising up to oppose members of “The Squad” he joined in the primary contest as tensions over Israel escalated.
Currently, at least three members of the “Squad” face intense competition in the primary: Reps. Cori Bush (D-Mo.), Summer Lee (D-Pa.) and Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.).
Groups like the Mainstream Democratic PAC, the Democratic Majority for Israel PAC and more have begun efforts to oust some of the more progressive lawmakers from Congress who support pro-Palestinian positions.
The Democratic Majority for Israel PAC, for example, recently began six-figure ad buys to promote alternatives to progressive firebrands.
Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) has been a vocal critic of Israel’s policies toward the Palestinians.Allison Bailey/NurPhoto/Shutterstock
Late last month, the District Attorney of St. Louis Wesley Bell also dropped his campaign for the Senate to launch a challenge against Bush instead, slamming his stance on Israel.
Further north, Omar has drawn a challenge from pro-Israel Democrats and attorney Sarah Gad, who has focused on his incumbent’s record in Israel.
Minneapolis City Councilman Don Samuels, who narrowly lost to Omar by less than 3,000 votes in 2022, is rumored to be eyeing another bid as well.
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) has a relatively competitive general election battle in 2022 and has become a political punching bag for many Republicans.Getty Images
Then in Pennsylvania, the Democratic Representative. Summer Lee took on the challenge from local Councilor Bhavini Patel.
Patel has accepted Lee’s comments about the war, such as calling Israel’s attack on Hamas a “massacre of innocent Gazans.”
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) played down the simmering divisions in the party.
“Outgroups are going to do what outgroups are going to do,” Jeffries explained to the press Friday. “I think House Democrats will continue to support each other.”
Categories: Trending
Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
