Multiple members of the Democratic Party are criticizing Rep. Rashida Tlaib for justifying the pro-Palestinian chant, “From the river to the sea,” as an “aspirational call for freedom, human rights, and peaceful coexistence.”
“From the river to the sea is an aspirational call for freedom, human rights, and peaceful coexistence, not death, destruction, or hate,” Tlaib posted. “My work and advocacy is always centered in justice and dignity for all people no matter faith or ethnicity.”
Tlaib’s interpretation was challenged by a group called StopAntisemitism, who explained that the phrase actually refers to the erasure of the Jewish state.
.@POTUS, the majority of the American people are not with you on this one. #CeasefireNow pic.twitter.com/rV97zrMkad
— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) November 3, 2023
Democrats such as Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, Rep. Elissa Slotkin, and Sen. Jacky Rosen have called on Tlaib to retract her statement, emphasizing the need for promoting peace and rejecting extremism.
“@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.
“But this is so hurtful to so many. Please retract this cruel and hateful remark.”
“I ask the same of [Rep. Tlaib],” Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) posted to X. “The phrase ‘from the river to the sea’ is one of division & violence, & it is counterproductive to promoting peace.”
“None of us, especially elected leaders, should amplify language that inflames a tense situation & makes it harder for our communities to find common ground.”
As the only Jewish member of MI’s congressional delegation, I have worked to reach out to Arab & Muslim constituents who I know are feeling fear and anguish right now, & I have tried to reflect that empathy in my approach to this crisis. I ask the same of @RepRashida. (1/3)
— Rep. Elissa Slotkin (@RepSlotkin) November 5, 2023
“If I knew that a phrase, I’d used had hurt any of my constituents, I would apologize and retract it, no matter its origin. I’d ask the same from you.”
“‘From the river to the sea’ is a call for eliminating the state of Israel that rejects a two-state solution & puts Jews in danger,” Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) said.
“We must reject extremism, no matter which side of the aisle it comes from. America’s support for Israel remains unwavering.”
Republicans, including Rep. Byron Donalds and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, have also criticized Tlaib.
.@RepRashida is wrong. “From the river to the sea” is a call for eliminating the state of Israel that rejects a two-state solution & puts Jews in danger.
We must reject extremism, no matter which side of the aisle it comes from.
America’s support for Israel remains unwavering.
— Senator Jacky Rosen (@SenJackyRosen) November 5, 2023
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