Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib had a "deep desire" to see her 90-year old
grandmother, "potentially for the last time."
She was scheduled to visit the West Bank, where "my grandmother was
deciding which fig tree we would pick from together."
Then, Donald Trump Tweeted that Israel would "show great weakness" if they
let Rashida and America's other Muslim Congresswoman, Ilhan Omar, into the
country. Right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu caved, reports the
NY Times, "reversing a previous decision to admit two of the president’s
most outspoken critics."
Bernie Sanders called this "clearly an outrage. If Israel doesn't want
members of the United States Congress to visit their country to get a
firsthand look at what's going on... maybe he can respectfully decline the
billions of dollars that we gift to Israel."
After mass outrage, Rashida was told she alone could come to Israel -- if
she signed the equivalent of a hostage statement barring criticism.
"The Israeli government used my love and desire to see my grandmother to
silence me and made my ability to do so contingent upon my signing a
letter...Being silent and not condemning the human rights violations of
the Israeli government is a disservice to all who live there, including my
incredibly strong and loving grandmother...Visiting my grandmother under
these oppressive conditions meant to humiliate me would break my
grandmother's heart." She will not go.
I wrote Rashida an email saying, "My heart aches for you and your family
right now. This is so wrong." [ [link removed]- ]Can you sign a note to Rashida and Ilhan
saying we stand with them? You can also write your own personal note that
we will deliver to them. Show your solidarity here.
Congresswomen Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ayanna Pressley spoke out in
solidarity. Predictably, Trump attacked the Squad...again.
The Squad is inspiring -- they need more allies in Congress. [ [link removed]- ]We'll send
you this free Squad sticker with a donation of $3 or more to our work
electing more AOC's, Rashida's, Ilhan's, and Ayanna's in 2020. Get it
here.
[ [link removed]- ]turn on images to see squad sticker
Thanks for being a bold progressive.
-- Adam Green, PCCC co-founder
P.S. Below is Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib's full statement on Friday:
"In my attempt to visit Palestine, I’ve experienced the same racist
treatment that many Palestinian-Americans endure when encountering the
Israeli government. In preparation for my visit, my grandmother was
deciding which fig tree we would pick from together, while Palestinians
and Israelis who are against the illegal military occupation were looking
forward to Members of Congress finally listening to and seeing them for
the first time. The Israeli government used my love and desire to see my
grandmother to silence me and made my ability to do so contingent upon my
signing a letter – reflecting just how undemocratic and afraid they are of
the truth my trip would reveal about what is happening in the State of
Israel and to Palestinians living under occupation with United States
support.
“I have therefore decided to not travel to Palestine and Israel at this
time. Visiting my grandmother under these oppressive conditions meant to
humiliate me would break my grandmother's heart. Silencing me with
treatment to make me feel less-than is not what she wants for me – it
would kill a piece of me that always stands up against racism and
injustice.
“When I won the election to become a United States Congresswoman, many
Palestinians, especially my grandmother, felt a sense of hope, a hope that
they would finally have a voice. I cannot allow the Israeli government to
take that away from them or to use my deep desire to see my grandmother,
potentially for the last time, as a political bargaining chip. My family
and I have cried together throughout this ordeal; they’ve promised to keep
my grandmother alive until I can one day reunite with her. It is with
their strength and heart that I reiterate I am a duly elected United
States Congresswoman and I will not allow the Israeli government to
humiliate me and my family or take away our right to speak out. I will not
allow the Israeli government to take away our hope.
“Racism and the politics of hate is thriving in Israel and the American
people should fear what this will mean for the relationship between our
two nations. If you truly believe in democracy, then the close alignment
of Netanyahu with Trump's hate agenda must prompt a re-evaluation of our
unwavering support for the State of Israel. The denial of entry of a
congressional delegation is not only about Congresswoman Omar and I, but
also about the deep-rooted racism within Israel that is taking us further
away from peace. The Israeli and Palestinian people need us to be more
courageous and to be honest brokers of peace. Being silent and not
condemning the human rights violations of the Israeli government is a
disservice to all who live there, including my incredibly strong and
loving grandmother.
“This type of oppression is painful for all humanity, but it is especially
painful for me personally every time I hear my loving family members cry
out for the freedom to live and the right to feel human."
[ [link removed]- ]Sign the note standing with Congresswomen Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar.
And you can add your own personal note, which we'll deliver to them.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez told PCCC members, "The majority of Americans are with us on the policies. Americans support Medicare for All, expanding Social Security benefits, gun reform, debt-free college, and a $15 minimum wage. Bold progressive values are popular EVERYWHERE. Together, we have the people. Together, with your help, we’ll have the votes." Chip in $3 here: [link removed]-
Paid for by the Progressive Change Campaign Committee PAC (www.BoldProgressives.org) and not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. Contributions to the PCCC are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.
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