More members of the Democratic Party are calling out Rashida Tlaib after she attempted to justify her antisemitic chant “From the river to the sea,” which she claimed is an “aspirational call for freedom, human rights, and peaceful coexistence.”
Tlaib posted the chant to the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, attempting to justify its meaning:
“From the river to the sea is an aspirational call for freedom, human rights, and peaceful coexistence, not death, destruction, or hate,” the post read.
“My work and advocacy is always centered in justice and dignity for all people no matter faith or ethnicity.”
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.
— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) November 3, 2023
However, a group on X called StopAntisemitism, responded to Tlaib’s posts, telling her it refers to “the full erasure of the Jewish state, from Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea.”
The group also added that the chant is Hamas’ battle cry, adding, “You echo terrorists.”
While Republicans came out against Tlaib for her antisemitic chant, Democrats have also called her out on the matter.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel called for Tlaib to “retract” the “cruel and hateful” social media post.
“@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,” Nessel wrote in an X post.
“But this is so hurtful to so many. Please retract this cruel and hateful remark.”
.@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.
— Dana Nessel (@dananessel) November 4, 2023
But this is so hurtful to so many. Please retract this cruel and hateful remark. https://t.co/HBCf8jRgYo
Michigan Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin, the only Jewish member” of Michigan’s congressional delegation, said she reached out to constituents who are Arab and Muslim who “are feeling fear and anguish.”
“I ask the same of [Rep. Tlaib],” Slotkin posted to X.
“The phrase ‘from the river to the sea’ is one of division & violence, & it is counterproductive to promoting peace.”
“None of us, especially elected leaders, should amplify language that inflames a tense situation & makes it harder for our communities to find common ground.”
Slotkin added:
“If I knew that a phrase I’d used had hurt any of my constituents, I would apologize and retract it, no matter its origin. I’d ask the same from you.”
The phrase “from the river to the sea” is one of division & violence, & it is counterproductive to promoting peace. None of us, especially elected leaders, should amplify language that inflames a tense situation & makes it harder for our communities to find common ground. (2/3)
— Rep. Elissa Slotkin (@RepSlotkin) November 5, 2023
One other party member, Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., said Tlaib “is wrong.”
“‘From the river to the sea’ is a call for eliminating the state of Israel that rejects a two-state solution & puts Jews in danger,” Rosen posted on X.
“We must reject extremism, no matter which side of the aisle it comes from. America’s support for Israel remains unwavering.”
.@RepRashida is wrong. “From the river to the sea” is a call for eliminating the state of Israel that rejects a two-state solution & puts Jews in danger.
— Senator Jacky Rosen (@SenJackyRosen) November 5, 2023
We must reject extremism, no matter which side of the aisle it comes from.
America’s support for Israel remains unwavering.
Republicans who called out Tlaib for her statement included:
Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga.
READ: Rashida Tlaib Hit with ‘Community Notes’ on Twitter for Spreading False Info about Israel
