House Democrats are seeking to distance themselves from Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) as she faces backlash for comments related to the conflict in Israel, with rank-and-file lawmakers circulating a letter that rejects a pro-Palestinian chant that was amplified by the Michigan Democrat in a video she posted over the weekend.
A handful of Democrats led by Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL) are gathering signatures to reject the phrase “from the river to the sea,” referring to a political slogan calling for Palestinian liberation. Although the letter does not name Tlaib, the effort comes just days after the Michigan Democrat posted a video featuring pro-Palestinian protesters marching in cities across the country chanting the phrase — prompting pushback from several members of Tlaib’s own party, who pointed to the slogan’s adoption by the Hamas terrorist group to advocate the destruction of Israel.
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“We support Israel’s right and obligation to defend itself — to protect its citizens, secure its borders, and rescue its people held hostage in Gaza,” the letter states, according to a copy obtained by Punchbowl News. “Israel also has the obligation to, as best as possible, protect civilians, and in all its actions adhere to international humanitarian law (notwithstanding Hamas’ complete disregard for the same).”
The letter condemns the phrase as a “rallying cry for the destruction of the State of Israel and genocide of the Jewish people” and reaffirms U.S. support for Israel to defend itself.
Tlaib posted a video on Friday in which she accused President Joe Biden of supporting “the genocide of the Palestinian people,” warning that voters are “not with you on this one” in relation to his staunch support of Israel. The video features pro-Palestinian protesters marching in cities across the country chanting “from the river to the sea,” referring to the land between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River that includes Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.
However, some Democrats pointed to instances in which anti-Israel groups such as Hamas have chanted the phrase to advocate the dismantling of the Jewish state.
“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 [Tlaib],” Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) said in a post on X. “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 & makes it harder for our communities to find common ground.”
Tlaib later posted that the meaning of the phrase is an "aspirational call for freedom, human rights, and peaceful coexistence” and not “death, destruction, or hate."
“My work and advocacy is always centered in justice and dignity for all people no matter faith or ethnicity,” she added.
The video comes after the House voted on whether to table a motion to censure Tlaib for her comments on Israel, which failed after lawmakers voted 222-186, overcoming the simple majority vote needed to kill the vote on the House floor. The measure failed after 23 Republicans joined all Democrats in tabling the motion, citing concerns with language in the bill equating Tlaib’s actions to leading an “insurrection.”
Part of the censure resolution last week accused Tlaib of displaying "antisemitic activity" and "leading an insurrection" at the Capitol, referring to a demonstration last month in which pro-Palestinian protesters rallied outside members' offices to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. More than 100 of the protesters were arrested, with a handful being charged with assaulting police officers, according to the U.S. Capitol Police.
However, some members, such as Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), said he disagreed with the use of the term “insurrection,” especially in the context of the Jan. 6 riot.
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“In January 2021, the legal term insurrection was stretched and abused by many following the events at the Capitol,” he said in a statement. “We should not continue to perpetuate claims of 'insurrection' at the Capitol and we should not abuse the term now."
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) said she would reintroduce the measure this week, replacing the word “insurrection” with “illegal occupation” in an attempt to secure the support needed to censure Tlaib.