Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), currently being floated as a pick for President-elect Joe Biden’s cabinet, has been accused of anti-Semitism after sharing a tweet with a message seeking to ‘eradicate’ Israel.
Tlaib retweeted an image celebrating “International Day of Solidarity,” but it included the caption, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”
The account for StopAntiSemitism.org noted the message and explained it is a “code for eradicating the State of Israel and its millions of Jews.”
The phrase, according to Fox News, has been interpreted by the Anti-Defamation League to “convey an interest in eliminating the state of Israel.”
Michigan Rising Action alleges Tlaib’s retweet is a “solidarity slogan commonly understood as a war cry to destroy the state of Israel and replace it with Palestine.”
Tlaib reportedly undid the retweet, but others had already screen-captured it.
Rashida Tlaib RT’s out the same message that got Marc Lamont Hill canned from CNN.
From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be Free – code for eradicating the State of Israel and its millions of Jews.
Reminder – this is a sitting U.S. Congresswoman pic.twitter.com/zEWOptrGPW
— StopAntisemitism.org (@StopAntisemites) November 30, 2020
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Tlaib’s Tweet Allegedly Sharing Anti-Semitism Cost a CNN Contributor His Job
The very same message shared by the sitting United States congresswoman cost a CNN contributor his job just a little over two years ago.
Marc Lamont Hill was fired by CNN after he made similar comments at a United Nations event commemorating the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
He also remarked that Palestine was the victim of “state violence and ethnic cleansing.”
He urged the body “to commit to political action, grass-roots action, local action, and international action that will give us what justice requires and that is a free Palestine from the river to the sea.”
CNN’s Marc Lamont Hill appears to call for violence against Israel and for the elimination of Israel, says, “Justice requires a free Palestine from the river to the sea.”
The phrase “from the river to the sea” is a phrase used by those who believe Israel should be eliminated. pic.twitter.com/26TL205Ylb
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) November 28, 2018
Hill denied that he called for Israel’s destruction.
“My reference to ‘river to the sea’ was not a call to destroy anything or anyone,” he tweeted. “It was a call for justice, both in Israel and in the West Bank/Gaza.”
Hill may have been able to plead ignorance, but what is Tlaib’s excuse?
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Tlaib Being Floated as a Possible Biden Cabinet Pick
Rep. Rashida Tlaib is, according to the Detroit News, being viewed as a “potential pick” to join Biden’s cabinet.
Two progressive groups – the Justice Democrats and the Sunrise Movement – are advocating for Biden to appoint Congresswoman Tlaib to his cabinet.
“The group has started a petition listing Tlaib as their top pick to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development under Biden,” the report claims.
Rashida Tlaib, Pramila Jayapal Top Progressives’ Cabinet Picks https://t.co/NFAGUB0LWk
Absolutely NO! Folks should stop telling #BidenHarris who to appoint to their cabinet. They know what they’re doing.
— silverprincess? (@marsha_vivinate) November 13, 2020
Earlier this year, Tlaib was accused by a Republican challenger of further anti-Semitism for wearing a t-shirt with a similar ‘river to the sea’ message.
In sharing a selfie promoting the release of a book by another anti-Semite, Linda Sarsour, Tlaib was seen wearing a shirt which features an image depicting the “state of Palestine” where Israel is currently located.
The shirt that @RashidaTlaib is wearing here promoting antisemite @Lsarsour’s book totally wipes Israel off the face of the earth.
A Palestinian flag painted over the entire map of what we now know as Israel. pic.twitter.com/ltBAFIWgSR
— Reagan Battalion (@ReaganBattalion) March 9, 2020
Other controversial statements or actions by Tlaib include:
- Tlaib said thinking of the Holocaust provides her a “calming feeling.”
- Accused pro-Israel advocates of having dual loyalty.
- Has been accused of associating with Palestinian terrorists.
- Supports the BDS movement and posed for photos with a campaign fundraiser who promoted anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.
Just one week ago, Tlaib was again accused of anti-Semitism over her response to President-elect Biden’s nominee to become Secretary of State.
“So long as he doesn’t suppress my First Amendment right to speak out against Netanyahu’s racist and inhumane policies,” she said of Antony Blinken. “The Palestinian people deserve equality and justice.”
So long as he doesn’t suppress my First Amendment right to speak out against Netanyahu’s racist and inhumane policies. The Palestinian people deserve equality and justice. https://t.co/SLhT3yYc4i
— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) November 23, 2020
“You can just say you’re worried because he’s Jewish…” the Republican Jewish Coalition fired back.
Meanwhile, some are calling on Tlaib to apologize for her ‘Palestine will be free’ retweet.
“Congresswoman Tlaib should apologize for her latest anti-semitic tweet calling for the eradication of Israel,” said Tori Sachs, executive director of Michigan Rising Action.
“Her hateful, inflammatory rhetoric has no place in our public discourse – especially coming from an elected official like herself.”