Democrats scold lefty colleague Rashida Tlaib over Israel — as primary challengers line up against ‘The Squad’
Michigan Democratic Socialist Rep. Rashida Tlaib is getting bashed by her own party for defending a controversial pro-Palestinian chant — signaling “The Squad’’ could be in re-election danger over its Israel stance.
Tlaib — a member of the so-called “Squad” of far-left House members — last week defended the phrase, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” which Zionist groups view as a rallying cry to destroy Israel and carry out genocide against Jews.
Tlaib contended that the chant “is an aspirational call for freedom, human rights, and peaceful coexistence, not death, destruction, or hate.” It refers to the land that encompasses both Israeli and Palestinian territory from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea.
Her defense of the divisive phrase came after she posted a video in which a crowd chanted it.
But even numerous fellow Democrats swiftly voiced their dismay at Tlaib, the first Palestinian-American elected to Congress, illustrating a growing schism among Democrats over the war in Israel.
“As the only Jewish member of MI’s congressional delegation, I have worked to reach out to Arab & Muslim constituents who I know are feeling fear and anguish right now, & I have tried to reflect that empathy in my approach to this crisis. I ask the same of @RepRashida,” Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) said.
“The phrase ‘from the river to the sea’ is one of division & violence, & it is counterproductive to promoting peace. None of us, especially elected leaders, should amplify language that inflames a tense situation,” she added.
“If I knew that a phrase I’d used had hurt any of my constituents, I would apologize & retract it, no matter its origin.”
Multiple House Democrats also circulated a statement repudiating the use of the phrase, though they refrained from going after Tlaib directly by name.
“We reject the use of the phrase ‘from the river to the sea’ — a phrase used by many, including Hamas, as a rallying cry for the destruction of the State of Israel and genocide of the Jewish people. We all feel deep anguish for the human suffering caused by the war in Gaza,” they said.
Lawmakers who signed onto the statement include Reps. Brad Schneider (D-Il.), Hillary Scholten (D-Mich.), Dan Goldman (D-NY), and Jared Huffman (D-Calif.)
“Ditto ‘From the river to the sea. . .’ or verbal support/non-condemnation of Hamas whose charter calls clearly for the destruction of Israel & killing Jews. I encourage those earnestly seeking ceasefire to separate themselves from this messaging. Make clear you don’t agree,” Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) wrote.
Tlaib has refused to buckle on her stance regarding the war in Israel even given the pressure from within her own party and has lashed out at top Democratic brass — including the president.
“Joe Biden supported the genocide of the Palestinian people,” she said in a video caption posted Friday, apparently referring to US support for Israel’s military retaliation against Palestinian-occupied Gaza after the Oct. 7 slaughter by the Palestinian terror group Hamas that killed more than 1,400 Israelis.
“The American people won’t forget. Biden, support a ceasefire now,” Tlaib wrote.
Last Wednesday, the House voted to table a resolution introduced by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) to censure Tlaib. Greene has recalibrated the resolution and plans to bring it up again.
Democrat stood by Tlaib during that vote.
But there is some liberal firepower revving up to take on members of “The Squad” she belongs to in primary contests as tensions on Israel boil over.
At the moment, at least three “Squad” members are facing stiff competition in primaries: Reps. Cori Bush (D-Mo.), Summer Lee (D-Penn.), and Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.)
Groups such as the Mainstream Democrats PAC, Democratic Majority for Israel PAC and more have begun efforts to weed out some of the more progressive lawmakers from Congress who have espoused pro-Palestinian positions.
The Democratic Majority for Israel PAC, for instance, recently commenced a six-figure ad buy to boost alternatives to the progressive firebrands.
Late last month, St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell also dropped his campaign for the Senate to mount a challenge against Bush instead, slamming her position on Israel.
Further north, Omar has drawn a challenge from pro-Israel Democrat and attorney Sarah Gad, who has latched onto the incumbent’s record on Israel.
Minneapolis city Councilman Don Samuels, who narrowly lost to Omar by fewer than 3,000 votes in 2022, is rumored to be eyeing a comeback bid as well.
Then in Pennsylvania, Dem Rep. Summer Lee is staring down a challenge from a local Councilwoman Bhavini Patel.
Patel has homed in on Lee’s comments on the war, such as calling Israel’s attack against Hamas a “genocide of innocent Gazans.”
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) downplayed divisions flaring up within the party.
“Outside groups are going to do what outside groups are going to do,” Jeffries explained at a presser Friday. “I think House Democrats are going to continue to support each other.”
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