U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib of Michigan is facing backlash for a video she posted that has been deemed offensive to the Jewish community. However, Tlaib has defended herself, stating that critics should prioritize saving civilian lives in the Middle East instead of focusing on her choice of words.
Tlaib, the only Palestinian American voice in Congress, expressed her frustration with her colleagues for attempting to silence her while ignoring the ongoing attacks on civilians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. She urged them to listen to their constituents and call for a cease-fire to prevent further loss of innocent lives.
The controversy stems from a video Tlaib posted last Friday, which includes a clip of demonstrators chanting “from the river to the sea.” In the video, Tlaib also mentions that “we will remember in 2024” and accuses President Joe Biden of supporting the genocide of the Palestinian people.
This incident highlights the growing divide within the Democratic Party in Michigan, which is home to a significant Arab American community. Jewish groups, including the Anti-Defamation League, have criticized the “from the river to the sea” chant, viewing it as a call to dismantle Israel. However, many Palestinian activists argue that they seek freedom of movement, equal rights, and protections for Palestinians throughout the land, rather than the destruction of Israel.
Democratic Representative Elissa Slotkin, the sole Jewish member of Michigan’s congressional delegation, condemned the phrase, considering it divisive and promoting violence. Slotkin emphasized that if she had unintentionally hurt any constituents, she would apologize and retract her words, expecting the same from Tlaib.
Other Michigan Democrats, such as Attorney General Dana Nessel and Michigan Senate President Pro Tempore Jeremy Moss, also criticized Tlaib and called for her to apologize. Nessel acknowledged that while she had previously defended Tlaib, the use of the phrase was hurtful to many.
Senator Bernie Sanders, a friend of Tlaib, expressed his disagreement with the slogan “the river to the sea,” stating that if it signifies the destruction of Israel, it is not a viable solution.
Tlaib defended herself on social media, asserting that the phrase represents an aspirational call for freedom, human rights, and peaceful coexistence, rather than death, destruction, or hate.
This dispute among Michigan Democrats reflects the broader divide over the Israel-Hamas conflict. Michigan houses one of the largest Arab American communities in the country, which Tlaib partially represents. However, her district in the Detroit area also includes a thriving Jewish community.
Tlaib, whose grandmother resides in the West Bank, has faced criticism for her alleged failure to condemn the Hamas attack since the war began. An attempt to censure her was dismissed with bipartisan support, as both parties raised concerns about violating First Amendment rights. Nevertheless, two Republican House members, including Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, introduced a motion to censure Tlaib on Monday.
