The US Congress has voted to censure Representative Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian-American member, for her comments regarding the Israel-Gaza conflict. The resolution, which formally condemned Tlaib for “calling for the destruction of the state of Israel,” was passed by 234 to 188 votes, with 22 Democrats joining the majority of Republicans in favour of the censure.
The controversy stemmed from a video posted by Tlaib on Twitter last week, featuring protestors chanting “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” Critics argue that this chant calls for Palestinian control of all land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, including Israel, and therefore implies the destruction of the state of Israel. Pro-Palestinian activists, however, maintain that the slogan advocates for an end to Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and blockade of Gaza, not the elimination of Israel itself.
The Anti-Defamation League and various Jewish groups have expressed concerns about the chant being used as a call for the destruction of Israel, contributing to the cross-party condemnation of Tlaib’s remarks.
In response to the censure, Tlaib defended her use of the slogan, describing it as “an aspirational call for freedom, human rights, and peaceful coexistence, not death, destruction, or hate.” During her address to the House, she emphasised that her comments were directed at the Israeli government and stressed the importance of recognizing the humanity of the Palestinian people.
Republican Representative Rich McCormick of Georgia introduced the resolution accusing Tlaib of promoting false narratives about Hamas’s attack on Israel and calling for the destruction of the state of Israel. The resolution gained support from a substantial number of Democrats, leading to the censure of Tlaib.
Tlaib’s censure has sparked a nationwide debate on free speech, criticism of US policy in the Israel-Gaza conflict, and the boundaries of political expression within Congress. The Biden administration, meanwhile, has maintained its stance on supporting a humanitarian pause in the conflict to facilitate aid, food, and water into Gaza.
Kiki Garba
Follow us on:
