Rep. Greene Files New Censure Resolution Accusing Rep. Tlaib of Anti-Semitism

Rep. Rashida Tlaib (R) with Rep. Cori Bush during a rally at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Oct. 20, 2023. (Ali Khaligh/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) has introduced a new resolution to censure Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) amid the latter defending usage of a phrase widely seen as a call for the elimination of the Jewish state of Israel.

The resolution, introduced on Nov. 6 and obtained by The Epoch Times, is privileged, and therefore Congress will have to vote on it within two days.

Ms. Greene’s first resolution to censure Ms. Tlaib was tabled on Nov. 1, with 23 Republicans joining all 199 Democrats to do so.

That measure would have censured Ms. Tlaib “for anti-Semitic activity, sympathizing with terrorist organizations, and leading an insurrection at the United States Capitol Complex.”

The “insurrection” claim was in relation to Ms. Tlaib addressing activists with the anti-Israel groups “IfNotNow” and “Jewish Voice for Peace” outside the U.S. Capitol on Oct. 18. The activists later stormed and held a sit-in at the Cannon House Office Building, calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Hundreds were arrested by Capitol Police for crowding, obstructing, or incommoding.

“I wish all the Palestinian people would see this. I wish they could see that not all of America want them to die. That they are not disposable, that they have a right to live,” said Ms. Tlaib at the rally.

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The resolution does not mention that Ms. Tlaib has yet to delete a post on X about Hamas’ contested claim blaming Israel for bombing a hospital in Gaza. The United States has independently concluded that it was a misfire by Palestinian terrorists that resulted in the explosion and caused Gazan deaths.

Key Differences

The differences between this resolution and the previous one is that the new one does not have the “insurrection” part, but it mentions Ms. Tlaib defending the phrase “From the river to the sea Palestine will be free”—a call for Israel to be wiped off the map.

“From the river to the sea is an aspirational call for freedom, human rights, and peaceful coexistence, 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 posted on X on Nov. 3.

Numerous Democrats criticized Ms. Tlaib for the post.

“This phrase means eradicating Israel and Jews. Period. Dressing it up in a new PR ploy won’t change that. Only a return of hostages, eliminating Hamas and liberating Gaza from oppressive terror will save civilian lives and secure the peace, justice and dignity you seek,” Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D-Fla.), who is Jewish, posted on X.

“‘From the river to the sea’ is not inspirational, it’s aspirational. And the people who use it (like Hamas), call for the elimination of the State of Israel. The statement has no other meaning. Just like the term ‘Final Solution’ has no other meaning,” Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.), who is also Jewish, posted on X.

“@RashidaTlaib, I have supported and defended you countless times, even when you have said the indefensible, because I believed you to be a good person whose heart was in the right place,” posted Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat who is also Jewish, on X. “But this is so hurtful to so many. Please retract this cruel and hateful remark.”

Past Comments

Ms. Tlaib, one of three Muslims in Congress, has a history of making anti-Semitic remarks.

In January 2019, shortly after being sworn into Congress for the first time, Ms. Tlaib criticized the Senate for taking up legislation against the anti-Israel “boycott, divestment, and sanctions,” or BDS movement, which Ms. Tlaib supports.

The bill passed the Senate amid a U.S. government shutdown. Her post on Twitter, now called X, echoed the anti-Semitic trope of dual loyalty—that Jews are more loyal to Israel than the country where they live.

“They forgot what country they represent. This is the U.S. where boycotting is a right & part of our historical fight for freedom & equality. Maybe a refresher on our U.S. Constitution is in order, then get back to opening up our government instead of taking our rights away,” Ms. Tlaib posted.

During a podcast interview in May 2019, she said that the Holocaust gave her a “calming feeling.” Ms. Tlaib responded to critics at the time by saying that when she said “calming feeling,” she was referring to the idea that her ancestors provided a “safe haven” for Jews after the Holocaust, and not referring to the Holocaust itself.

Ms. Greene is not the only one to introduce a resolution to censure Ms. Tlaib. Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio), who is Jewish, put one forth on Nov. 2.