WASHINGTON – The House made a controversial decision to censure Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., the only Palestinian American in Congress, over her remarks regarding the Israel-Hamas war.
Rep. Rich McCormick, R-Ga., introduced the resolution that led to the censure. The vote, which resulted in a 234-188 approval, saw most House Republicans, along with some House Democrats, in favor of the measure.
Tlaib, unable to hold back tears, delivered an emotional speech on the House floor after her colleagues’ decision.
She expressed, “I can’t believe I have to say this but Palestinian people are not disposable. We are human beings. Just like my grandmother, like all Palestinians, who just wants to live her life with the freedom and human dignity we all deserve.”
The resolution targets Tlaib’s public statements about the Israel-Hamas war, with some accusing her of promoting false narratives regarding the Hamas attack on Israel and calling for the destruction of the state of Israel.
Tlaib faced criticism after stating that the phrase “from the river to the sea” is an aspirational call for freedom, human rights, and peaceful coexistence, not death, destruction, or hate.
On the House floor, Tlaib emphasized that her criticism of the war was solely directed at the Israeli government, not the Jewish people. She has repeatedly called for a ceasefire as Israel continues its bombing of Gaza, which threatens Palestinian civilians.
“My criticism has always been of the Israeli government and (President Benjamin) Netanyahu’s actions,” Tlaib said, adding, “Speaking up to save lives, Mr. Chair, no matter faith, no matter ethnicity should not be controversial in this chamber. The cries of Palestinian and Israeli children sound no different to me. What I don’t understand is why the cries of Palestinians sounds different to you all.”
In a previous attempt, conservative Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., also tried to censure Tlaib over her comments on the war but was unsuccessful following a motion to table. After McCormick introduced his resolution, Greene made another push to censure Tlaib, modifying the language to mention an “illegal occupation” instead.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: House censures Rashida Tlaib over Israel, Palestine comments
