(RepublicanPress.org) – After Hamas struck Israel on October 7 in a surprise attack that shocked the world, people have been sharing their opinions about the war. While Hamas is a terrorist organization that rules the Gaza Strip, the area is full of civilians caught in the deadly throws of conflict. Civilians in both Israel and Gaza have been killed and injured over the last month — sparking outrage. One representative in the United States House was censured for her comments on the matter.
On November 7, a majority of legislators in the Lower Chamber voted to punish Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) for allegedly “promoting false narratives.” Not only did most Republicans vote in favor of the measure, but 22 lawmakers from Tlaib’s own party joined them. House members took issue with the Michigan representative using the phrase, “From the river to the sea. Palestine will be free.” The slogan is widely seen as a call for the eradication of “Israel and its people.”
22 Democrats vote to censure Tlaib over Israel criticism https://t.co/eMblGGeobu pic.twitter.com/bfA85BDe5X
— The Hill (@thehill) November 8, 2023
Tlaib insisted she did not mean the phrase in that way and that her voice is more important now than ever before. While Tlaib was born in Michigan, her parents are Palestinian immigrants, making her the first person of Palestinian descent elected to Congress. The lawmaker said she was simply using the phrase as a “call for freedom…and peaceful existence” for the innocent people in Gaza. She said the Israeli government is not the same as the people of Israel. Aljazeera recently reported that 10,000 Palestinians have been killed — many of them children — since Hamas attacked.
One Democrat who voted to censure Tlaib, Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL) said while congressional members do have free speech, they have a “duty to express the values and priorities of their districts.” Those who voted against noted the legislator’s First Amendment rights.
Still, Tlaib vowed to keep speaking out in favor of a ceasefire.
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