AJP Action Stands in Solidarity with Rep. Rashida Tlaib Washington D.C. – AJP Action stands firmly in solidarity with Representative Rashida Tlaib, who was wrongly censured by her colleagues in the House for her stance on Palestinian rights and her vocal criticism of Israel’s ongoing war crimes and genocide in Gaza. We are deeply concerned with the precedent set by this censure. Historically, the serious measure of censure within Congress has been applied in cases where members have committed breaches of conduct or potentially criminal actions. We note that this action against Rep. Tlaib is an exceptional use of censure, diverging from the past where censure was reserved for matters of ethical violations or misconduct, not for expressions of conscience on international human rights. Representative Tlaib’s phrase, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” articulates a vision for a future where all people, regardless of ethnicity or religion, live in peace and dignity. It is a call for justice and freedom, which are values that should resonate with all who support human rights. Rep. Tlaib stating that Israel is the one to blame for the attack on Al-Ahli Hospital is valid, backed with undeniable evidence, and is reflected by the international human rights community. The vast majority of reputable weapon experts and news outlets, including the New York Times, have concluded that the official US-Israeli narrative blaming the attack on Palestinian groups is not valid. If Congress truly values truth and accountability, it should be calling for a thorough and impartial investigation into this attack and the dozens of other massacres that took place in Gaza over the past month. Over 10,000 Palestinians, including 4,100 children, have been killed by Israel in the past month. These are not just numbers; they are human lives that deserve recognition and justice. As the only Palestinian American in Congress, Rep. Tlaib’s perspective is invaluable. Censuring her for speaking on behalf of her community and for the rights of Palestinians is an affront not only to her but to the very principles of freedom and democracy. Rather than censuring Rep. Tlaib, Congress should call for #CeasefireNow, oppose any future funding for Israel, and support an International Criminal Court inquiry into the crimes committed in Palestine in the past few weeks. |