Nadine Osman
The Republican-controlled House of Representatives voted late on November 7, to censure the only Palestinian American in Congress – in a rebuke of her rhetoric about the Israel-Hamas war.
The 234-188 tally came after 22 Democrats joined with Republicans to censure Democratic representative Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, a punishment one step below expulsion from the House.
The three-term Congresswoman has long been a target of criticism for her views on the decades-long conflict in the Middle East.
The debate on the censure resolution was intense. The Republican representative Rich McCormick of Georgia pushed the censure measure in response to what he called Tlaib’s promotion of antisemitic rhetoric. He alleged she had “levied unbelievable falsehoods about our greatest ally, Israel, and the attack on October 7”.
Tlaib provoked criticism the previous week by defending the slogan “from the river to the sea”.
In remarks on the House floor, Tlaib defended her criticism of the country and urged lawmakers to join in calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
“I will not be silenced, and I will not let you distort my words,” Tlaib said. “No government is beyond criticism. The idea that criticizing the government of Israel is antisemitic sets a very dangerous precedent, and it’s been used to silence diverse voices speaking up for human rights across our nation.”
She also said she had condemned the Hamas attacks on Israeli citizens several times.
Tlaib, who was first elected in 2018 and is a prominent member of “the Squad” of progressive female lawmakers, grew emotional as she said: “I can’t believe I have to say this, but Palestinian people are not disposable.”
The Palestinian death toll from an ongoing Israeli onslaught in the Gaza Strip has surged to 11,320 people, the government media office announced on November 14.
“The victims include 4,650 children and 3,145 women, while 29,200 others are injured,” the office said in a statement. According to the statement, 3,600 other people remain unaccounted for, including 1,755 children.
“A total of 198 medics, 22 civil defence personnel and 51 journalists were also killed in the assaults,” it added.
“The Israeli aggression has forced 25 hospitals and 52 health care centres out of service, while 55 ambulances were targeted by Israeli forces,” the statement said.
Photo: Rep Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich, cries during a demonstration calling for a cease-fire in Gaza near the Capitol in Washington on October 18. (Credit: Celal Güneş/Anadoly Agency)
GAZA SIEGE | SPECIAL COVERAGE
GAZA: Bereaved British Palestinians recall harrowing loss as they appeal for ceasefire
Editorial: West’s deepening complicity in Israel’s ethnic cleansing, if not genocide of Gaza
Muslim MP bombarded with death threats for supporting besieged Palestinians
US: Over 1,200 incidents of anti-Arab and Islamophobic bias
FBI investigate anti-Palestinian abuse at American University
‘Free Palestine’ isn’t hate-speech superintendent says following student’s suspension
Anti-Muslim hate crimes soar in Germany
‘Witch-hunt’ referrals to regulator of pro-Palestinian physicians must end, say Muslim medics body
UK PM urged to combat on Islamophobia as figures show a sevenfold rise post Israel-Gaza conflict
Cut ties with Israeli institutions, over 600 academics tell Irish universities
‘Fascism and pure bigotry,’ Muslim congress members slam Republican Palestinian ban proposal
Stanford student hospitalised in suspected anti-Muslim hit-and-run
