John,

I knew when I ran for Congress that I would face obstacles as a Muslim,
Palestinian-American woman. I’ve dealt with sexism, racism, and
Islamophobia my entire life -- so I knew that would continue if I pursued
a high-profile public office and won. What I didn’t anticipate was for
that discrimination to come from the President of the United States.

As you may have heard, I was supposed to join my friend and fellow
Representative Ilhan Omar along with other colleagues in Israel and
Palestine for a congressional delegation visit. But after Donald Trump
felt the need to disparage mine and Ilhan’s name on Twitter, and urge
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to ban us from entering the
country because of our willingness to speak out in support of Palestinian
human rights, those travel plans came to an abrupt halt.

It’s very telling when a so-called democratic ally bans elected members of
Congress from visiting because of our political views and values. It’s
even more disturbing and completely unprecedented that our own president
encouraged this undemocratic action. What is Netanyahu afraid that we will
witness, that we will bring to light?

Not only am I heartbroken that I cannot meet the people of Israel and
Palestine to witness their struggles firsthand, but I am heartbroken I can
no longer visit my Palestinian grandmother, who just days ago was excited
to decide which fig tree we’d pick from together.

The Israeli government ultimately decided they would let me visit, but
under one condition: that I sign a letter restricting my freedom of speech
in order to stop me from speaking out against the inhumane conditions
Palestinians like my grandmother are forced to face by the Israeli
military occupation. Conditions in which families’ homes are being
bulldozed, children and young people are subject to terrifying
interrogations at all hours, and villages often go without access to clean
water. Under such military rule, they have no one to represent them.

No matter how badly I wish to see my grandmother, I know she would not
want me to do so under such degrading circumstances that go against
everything I believe in: fighting racism, oppression, and injustice.

It’s been a difficult few days, and I’ve shed many tears with my family as
we went through this ordeal. But I want to be crystal clear: I am more
committed than ever before to defending the rights and freedoms of the
people of Palestine and people everywhere, and no political attacks from
Trump, Netanyahu, or any other oppressive leader will change that or
silence me.

[ [link removed] ]If you are with me and my sister in service, Ilhan, as we continue to
speak out against the inhumane treatment of people, from the southern
border of the United States to the military rule of Palestine, pitch in a
contribution of whatever you can to show the world that we are stronger
than racism, Islamophobia, and all forms of hate that seek to divide and
oppress us.

[ [link removed] ]DONATE

Thank you for your support. With people like you fighting by our side, I
am hopeful.

Rashida Tlaib






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