Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s (D-MI) consistent calls for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas are fracturing the Democratic Party, leaving several liberal lawmakers “incredibly disappointed” in their colleagues’ reactions to the conflict.
Tlaib, the only Palestinian American in Congress, began making headlines after she condemned the “occupation” of Israel and called for a ceasefire. Several Democrats and most Republicans have criticized Tlaib for her stance on the war, particularly as she refuses to retract her statement blaming the al Ahli Arab Hospital bombing in Gaza on the Jewish state.
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This has caused frustration among Democratic lawmakers such as Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL), who said he is disheartened by colleagues like Tlaib and other “Squad” Democrats “who not only haven’t been able to condemn the horrific terror attack on Israel, but have celebrated it and called it resistance.”
“She spread a claim by Hamas that is not true, that has led to threats to American military personnel and diplomats around the world, and continues to throw gasoline on that fire,” Schneider said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal. “It’s important that all of us call out evil. We may have differences of opinion, but we don’t get to have our own facts.”
Tlaib has refused to walk back her anti-Israel statements, at one point criticizing President Joe Biden and Israel for being responsible for a “genocide” at a pro-Palestinian rally in Washington. She also argued that both the “Israeli and United States governments have long, documented histories of misleading the public about wars and war crimes.”
She was one of a handful of Democrats who voted against the resolution to support Israel last week, along with Reps. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Cori Bush (D-MO), Andre Carson (D-IN), Al Green (D-TX), Summer Lee (D-PA), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), and Delia Ramirez (D-IL).
The Michigan representative said in a statement opposing the resolution that it was “incomplete and biased” against Palestinians.
“How does treating Palestinian civilians as less than fully human, as legitimate targets for retribution, bring us closer to a just and lasting peace?” Tlaib said.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), known for her own firebrand comments, introduced a resolution to censure Tlaib last week, accusing the Michigan Democrat of antisemitism and “sympathizing with terrorist organizations.” It details several of Tlaib’s statements dating back to 2019 that Greene considers to be antisemitic. Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI) also filed a resolution against the Michigan Democrat shortly after the Hamas terrorist attack and Tlaib’s subsequent statement.
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Some Democrats have come out in support of censuring Tlaib, including Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), who said it is something “everyone should consider.” He had expressed disappointment in Tlaib refusing to listen to U.S. intelligence regarding the hospital bombing — which the Biden administration said shows Israel is not responsible for the attack.
Tlaib responded to Greene’s resolution, saying it was “deeply Islamophobic and attacks peaceful Jewish anti-war advocates.”
