Rashida Tlaib
Adam Milstein has withdrawn from a panel at the upcoming AIPAC conference after tweets criticizing Democratic Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib over their rhetoric and ties to CAIR.
The final tally of the legislation, which defines anti-Semitism as “the centuries-old bigotry and form of racism faced by Jewish people simply because they are Jews,” was 407-23.
Pro-Israel and Jewish groups have been pushing the Democratic Party to take a stand against anti-Semitism and Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar’s remarks, which could undermine the party’s position for criticizing Republicans and U.S. President Donald Trump for their views on racism.
“We reject the parallels Representative Omar has repeatedly drawn between Israel and apartheid South Africa,” the Jewish Democratic Council of America said in a statement. “We also want to make clear to both Reps. Omar and Tlaib that our denunciation of their recent tweets was completely unrelated to their religion.”
“We congratulate Congresswoman Tlaib for her decision to use the best products she can find, instead of discriminating against Israel in way that increases hostility, thereby making peace between Israelis and Palestinians more difficult to achieve,” said Democratic Majority for Israel president Mark Mellman.
Do condemnations from lawmakers and others demonstrate AIPAC’s strength? Do these remarks cause more members of Congress to rally behind Israel?
House Democratic Caucus chairman Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) sidestepped the anti-Semitic and anti-Israel issues revolving around the congresswomen at issue: “I’ve found those two new freshmen members to be thoughtful colleagues on a wide variety of issues.”
The congresswoman was photographed with Abbas Hamideh, who has repeatedly expressed support for Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, at her swearing-in ceremony in Detroit on Jan. 12.
“I am writing to express my extreme concern,” wrote Rep. Brian Babin (R-Texas). “This action, from an outspoken supporter of the ‘BDS’ Israel boycott movement ... is both ill-conceived and inconsistent with our national values.”
“No matter your political persuasion, all leaders— and Americans—need to unequivocally speak out against anti-Semitism and hate,” posted ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt in a Twitter thread. “That especially goes for members of Congress.”
Former Clinton White House communications director on Tlaib, Omar, Ocasio-Cortez and Democratic agenda
“If we want to be serious, to make policy, to understand where we are, listen to members of Congress who are solid, mainstream Democrats and Republicans. Ask them about how to work together on domestic and foreign policy,” said Ann Lewis.
“Unfortunately, we really aren’t surprised. Tlaib is turning out to be the exact person we were warning she is,” said Republican Jewish Coalition spokesperson Neil Strauss.
