Michigan Democrats bash Tlaib for Palestinian comments

[LetMyPeopleVote]

I am glad that Michigan Democrats are calling out these statements

Link to tweet

https://www.politico.com/news/2023/11/05/michigan-democrats-bash-tlaib-palestine-comments-00125429

Democratic lawmakers and officials in Michigan are rebuking remarks made by Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) that justified an oft-criticized slogan popular among advocates for Palestinian rights.

On Friday, Tlaib, who is the only Palestinian American member of Congress, tweeted that “From the river to the sea is an aspirational call for freedom, human rights, and peaceful coexistence, not death, destruction, or hate. My work and advocacy is always centered in justice and dignity for all people no matter faith or ethnicity.”

Senate President Pro Tempore Jeremy Moss, a Democrat, tweeted on Saturday, “Hamas uses it as a rallying cry. And they don’t simply want to displace Jews in Israel. They want Jews dead.”

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel also condemned Tlaib’s defense of the slogan, tweeting “@RashidaTlaib, I have supported and defended you countless times, even when you have said the indefensible, because I believed you to be a good person whose heart was in the right place.”

“But this is so hurtful to so many. Please retract this cruel and hateful remark,” Nessel continued.

[TexasDem69]

1. She needs to go

Hopefully she’ll be primaried and replaced with a Democrat who supports our President and allies

[Wingus Dingus]

2. Well, she's right that it's an aspirational slogan.

The rest of her explanation is bullshit, of course.

[ColinC]

3. Very short sighted. Tlaib is likely one of the last assets that'll help Dems keep Michigan next year

Alienating her in the midst of losing the Muslim vote there is a really really bad idea.

[TexasDem69]

4. If she supports Hamas

And attacks Joe Biden I don’t want her as part of the party. And if we have to appease terrorists to win Michigan then that isn’t something we should do either.

[yagotme]

5. We're not supposed to attack fellow Dem's here,

but she's attacking OUR PRESIDENT! While, I might add, using a terrorist's mantra. VERY bad image for us. One I'm sure the Rethug's will relish using against us next year.

[ColinC]

6. The vast majority of US Muslims likely disagree

[yagotme]

7. Disagree with what?

That the Rethugs will use this against us? I'm not talking about just her election, I'm talking nationwide.

[ColinC]

8. The entirety of your narrative

If they don’t think she’s defending Hamas, they also likely believe that Palestinians are being unjustly targeted by Israel -who the president has made clear he supports.


If we want to win next year we will need the Muslim vote. If we alienate the few Muslim Democrats with national recognition, that prospect becomes more and more dim.

[yagotme]

9. So, you don't believe that the Rethugs won't use this in Deep Red America

to bolster/get out their voters. I'd say that would be a wishing well wish.

[ColinC]

10. At this rate not only will that happen

But our voters will not turn out because of our stance on Israel. But not because of anything one Democrat said. But because of the entirety of the Democratic whole on the issue of Israel.

[yagotme]

11. So, you disagree with me, then you agree with me.

I'm a little confused right now. Of course this would be just one part. That's what this thread is about, not all the other things they are going to blame on us. That's the purpose to having a subject line on the thread...

[ColinC]

12. I disagree with you

As far as what her statements will do. Condemning her will energize GOP voters and suppress a large Democratic base: Muslims.

You think not condemning her will do this. I disagree.

[yagotme]

13. You have the utmost right to disagree. It's your opinion, after all.

I disagree with you on this. It's my opinion. Time will tell which way this goes.

[ColinC]

14. 👍

Indeed

Of course given the direction things are going, I very much hope you are right.

We cannot afford to lose this election.

[yagotme]

15. My sentiment exactly.

Therefore, that was my worry about the perception of possible Hamas support from her. One more crack in the armor, so to speak, and it may all break down. A simple apology, for misunderstanding/misusing the phrase, would do wonders for her image right now, nationally. Unfortunately, some politicians (especially the right) tend to double down on an error, and it just gets worse.