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." 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. 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.
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."
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.
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