WASHINGTON:
The US House voted on Tuesday to impeach Democratic Representative Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian American member of Congress, over comments she made about Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza.
Twenty-two Democrats joined most Republicans in the chamber to criticize Tlieb for allegedly “promoting false narratives” about the October 7 Hamas gun attack on Israel and “calling for the destruction of the state of Israel.”
The move was supported by Republican Representative Richard McCormick. The final vote count in the Republican-controlled chamber was 234-188 in favor of impeachment.
Four Republicans voted against the proposal, while three Democrats and one Republican abstained. Tlaib has repeatedly condemned the Hamas attack, which killed an estimated 1,400 people, while also criticizing US support for Israel as the country’s military retaliates against shelling that has killed thousands of Palestinians in Gaza.
The measure specifically cited a video Tlaib posted on social media containing the phrase “from the river to the sea.”
a pro-Palestinian rallying cry seen by many Jews as anti-Semitic and calling for the elimination of Israel. She also angered many of her fellow Democrats on Friday when she posted a video accusing President Joe Biden of supporting “the
genocide of the Palestinian people”.
Israel categorically rejects the accusations of genocide. Tlaib rejected accusations of anti-Semitism during a speech on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday. “I’m the only Palestinian-American in Congress, and my perspective is needed more than ever,” Tlaib said.
Reading Israel says troops push into ‘heart of Gaza City’
“My criticism has always been of the Israeli government and the actions of (Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu… The idea that criticism of the Israeli government is anti-Semitic sets a very dangerous precedent,” Tlaib said.
“Palestinians are not disposable,” Tlaib added, pausing long as she was overcome with emotion. Her
The grandmother lives in a village in the occupied West Bank, an area occupied by Israel in the 1967 war.
Rep. Pete Aguilar, the No. 2 Democrat in the House, told reporters Tuesday that while he “strongly disagreed” with Tlaib’s remarks about Biden, he believed the impeachment motion was counterproductive. Token reprimand has no specific punishment.
Although previously a rare measure used against members, it has become increasingly common in recent years. Democrats criticized Republican Rep. Paul Gosar in 2021 for posting a cartoon video depicting his character murdering Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Republicans criticized Rep. Adam Schiff for his work investigating former President Donald Trump while was in power.
a href=”https://tribune.com.pk/story/2445442/us-house-censures-lone-palestinian-american-lawmaker-over-israel-comments”>Source link
