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Twenty-two Democrats joined with most Republicans in the chamber
to censure Tlaib for allegedly "promoting false narratives" on
Hamas' Oct. 7 gun rampage in Israel and "calling for the
destruction of the state of Israel."
The motion was sponsored by Republican Representative Richard
McCormick. The final vote tally in the Republican-controlled
chamber was 234-188 in favor of censure. Four Republicans voted
against the motion, while three Democrats and one Republican
abstained.
Tlaib has repeatedly condemned Hamas's assault, which killed
some 1,400 people, while also criticizing U.S. support for
Israel as the country's military retaliates with bombardment
that has killed thousands of Palestinians in Gaza.
The measure specifically cited a video Tlaib published on social
media containing the phrase "from the river to the sea," a
pro-Palestinian rallying cry that is viewed by many Jews as
antisemitic and calling for Israel's eradication.
She also enraged many fellow Democrats on Friday when she posted
a video accusing President Joe Biden of supporting "the genocide
of the Palestinian people." Israel vehemently rejects
accusations of genocide.
Tlaib rejected accusations of antisemitism during a speech on
the House floor on Tuesday.
"I am the only Palestinian-American in Congress, and my
perspective is needed more than ever," Tlaib said.
"My criticism has always been of the Israeli government and
(Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu's actions... The idea that
criticizing the government of Israel is antisemitic sets a very
dangerous precedent," Tlaib said.
"Palestinian people are not disposable," Tlaib added, taking a
long pause as she became overcome with emotion. Her grandmother
lives in a village in the occupied West Bank, territory Israel
captured in a 1967 war.
Representative Pete Aguilar, the No. 2 Democrat in the House,
told reporters on Tuesday that while he "strenuously disagreed"
with Tlaib's remarks about Biden, he believed the censure motion
was not productive.
The symbolic rebuke has no specific punishment. Although it was
previously a rare measure used against members, it has become
increasingly common in recent years.
Democrats censured Republican Representative Paul Gosar in 2021
for posting an animated video that depicted his character
murdering Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez,
and Republicans censured Democrat Adam Schiff for his work
investigating former President Donald Trump while he was in
power.
(Reporting by Moira Warburton in Washington)
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