Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) attacked Republican lawmakers and opponents of the anti-Israel BDS movement on Monday by saying “they forgot what country they represent.”
In response to a Twitter post by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) blasting an anti-BDS bill introduced last week by Republicans as “absurd,” Tlaib posted: “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.”
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. https://t.co/KkmqjR58ZM
— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) January 7, 2019
The proposed anti-BDS legislation is one of four bills combined into one—the Strengthening America’s Security in the Middle East Act—introduced on Thursday by Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) and Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).
“This ‘dual loyalty’ canard is a typical anti-Semitic line,” tweeted Rubio. #BDS isn’t about freedom & equality, it’s about destroying #Israel. And if boycotting #Israel is constitutionally protected, then boycotting companies that boycott #Israel is also constitutionally protected.”
This “dual loyalty” canard is a typical anti-Semitic line#BDS isn’t about freedom & equality, it’s about destroying #Israel
And if boycotting #Israel is constitutionally protected, then boycotting companies that boycott #Israel is also constitutionally protected https://t.co/6yBM0bQB5L
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) January 7, 2019
Tlaib’s latest gesture is one of several since the 116th Congress was sworn in last week. Her Capitol Hill office displayed a map on her first day in the House of Representatives with a note posted over Israel that reads “Palestine.” She also called President Donald Trump a “motherf***er” that needs to be impeached.