Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) and Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) faced backlash online after attempting to commemorate Hanukkah on Thursday.
The Jewish holiday began Thursday evening and will continue until Dec. 15. Both Democratic members took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to wish a happy holiday to their Jewish followers and constituents.
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“Happy first night of Hanukkah to our Jewish siblings in the MA7 & across the world,” Pressley wrote. “The celebration carries extra meaning for so many this year, and I wish everyone light, joy, and peace this holiday season.”
Happy first night of #Hanukkah to our Jewish siblings in the #MA7 & across the world.
The celebration carries extra meaning for so many this year, and I wish everyone light, joy, and peace this holiday season.
— Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (@RepPressley) December 8, 2023
“Happy Hanukkah to our Jewish neighbors in 12th District Strong and beyond,” Tlaib wrote. “May this be a time of love and community for you and your loved ones.”
Happy Hanukkah to our Jewish neighbors in #12thDistrictStrong and beyond.
May this be a time of love and community for you and your loved ones.— Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (@RepRashida) December 7, 2023
However, because of the stance the two representatives have taken during the war between Israel and Hamas, their posts were met with outrage online. Both have supported a ceasefire after Hamas began launching rockets into Israel beginning Oct. 7. Tlaib in particular, due to her Palestinian heritage, faced the brunt of the criticism.
“I detect a smidge of damage control,” former Secretary of the Senate Kelly D. Johnson wrote in response to Tlaib on X.
“Hey, look everyone! Rep. Rashida (D-Gaza) acknowledged Jews were in Israel 1,000 years before Muhammad was born and that the story of Hannukah happened in Judea & Samaria!” radio host Ari Hoffman wrote, referring to the history of the holiday. “Thank you for being pro-Israel & standing against Palestinian terrorists.”
Hey, look everyone!@RepRashida (D-Gaza) acknowledged Jews were in Israel 1,000 years before Muhammad was born and that the story of Hannukah happened in Judea & Samaria!
Thank you @RashidaTlaib for being pro-Israel & standing against Palestinian terrorists https://t.co/hVPZhmKrgP
— Ari Hoffman (@thehoffather) December 8, 2023
Many others would mock Tlaib, alleging that a staffer wrote the post or that her account was hacked. More than one compared her post to a hypothetical scenario wherein former Ku Klux Klan grand wizard David Duke wished black people a Happy Kwanza.
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This comes after Tlaib was censured by the House for her rhetoric surrounding Oct. 7 last month. Her colleagues voted 234-188 to usher in the punishment.
Congress has been unable to pass a bill to aid Israel in either chamber since the House elected Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) as speaker. The House has until Dec. 14 until its end-of-year recess.
