House Censures Rashida Tlaib, Receives Mixed Reactions at Home
- Vigils have been held in the Detroit suburbs for over a month to commemorate the victims of the war between Israel and Hamas, with differing narratives about the war and the role of Rashida Tlaib, the area’s representative and the only Palestinian American in Congress.
- Rashida Tlaib has come under scrutiny for her views on the Israel-Hamas war since her election in 2018. She voted against a resolution to condemn Hamas and confirm annual U.S. military assistance to Israel and made statements on social media about the conflict that have drawn criticism, including a video accusing President Biden of supporting the “genocide of the Palestinian people”.
- Following her comments, she was censured by Congress, accused of “calling for the destruction of the state of Israel”. This has generated criticism from the Biden administration and fellow Democrats, as well as support in the majority Arab American enclave of Dearborn, Michigan. Her position has placed her at odds with many in her constituency, especially amid the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Detroit Vigils Highlight War Divisions, Congresswoman Tlaib’s Dilemma
For over a month, Detroit suburbs have held vigils for the casualties of the Israel-Hamas conflict, with differing narratives about the war and Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, the area’s representative and the sole Palestinian American in Congress.
A solidarity gathering for Israeli hostages at Adat Shalom synagogue saw Democratic Senator Jeremy Moss addressing anxious constituents. “They don’t feel seen, heard, or represented,” he relayed.
The subsequent night, a memorial for Palestinian victims of the Israeli invasion in Dearborn, an Arab American majority enclave, saw activists denouncing the censure of Tlaib’s statements on the conflict in Congress.
Khalid Turaani, a Palestinian American activist, paralleled Tlaib’s censure to Joshua Reed Giddings’, a congressman and abolitionist censured in 1842 for opposing the slave trade. “History is repeating itself”, Turaani told the crowd.
Since Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel, no American politician, besides President Biden, has figured more prominently in Israel-Hamas war debates than Tlaib. The redistricting shake-up put Tlaib in an increasingly difficult position, requiring her to represent one of the largest Arab American communities and a large Jewish community, whose views of the conflict are deeply personal and exceptionally challenging to reconcile.
Interviews in Tlaib’s district reveal a split-screen view of the Gaza war, rooted in Holocaust family histories and personal experiences of lost lives and lands since Israeli statehood. The divide poses a formidable challenge for any politician, but it may be unbridgeable for Tlaib, who has staked out a position that alienates many constituents.
After the Oct. 7 attack, in which Hamas assailants killed about 1,200 people and took about 240 hostages, Tlaib was one of 10 House members who voted against a resolution to condemn Hamas and reaffirm U.S.’s $3.3 billion yearly military aid to Israel.
On Nov. 3, she posted a video accusing President Biden of supporting the “genocide of the Palestinian people” and included footage of protestors chanting “from the river to the sea,” a phrase seen by many as advocating for the overthrow of Israel.
Tlaib’s interpretation of the slogan attracted condemnation from the Biden administration, criticism from Michigan’s attorney general, Dana Nessel, and disapproval from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, both Democrats.
On Tuesday, 22 Democratic colleagues joined House Republicans in passing a resolution to censure her, accusing her of “calling for the destruction of Israel.” Democratic Majority for Israel, led by Democratic pollster Mark Mellman, is running TV ads in the Detroit area criticizing Tlaib.
“Tlaib is radically out of step with Congress, her party, and Michigan Democrats,” Mellman said, expressing hope for a change in her views or potential for another candidate to run against her.
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