Tlaib continues calls for ceasefire in Israel despite House censure

Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) renewed her calls for a ceasefire in the Middle East, saying that Congress should not pass legislation providing aid to Israel despite being censured by the House last week over her pro-Palestinian comments concerning the conflict.

Flanked by a handful of other liberal lawmakers outside the Capitol building on Monday, the Michigan Democrat repeated her calls for an immediate de-escalation of the conflict in Israel. The effort comes weeks after Tlaib, along with 12 other House Democrats, introduced a bill demanding the Biden administration call for a ceasefire and provide humanitarian assistance to residents in Gaza.

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“My colleagues must recognize our shared humanity, the value of human life,” Tlaib said. “There are millions of people across our country right now who are horrified watching the government support collective punishment of Palestinians while the Israeli government continues to carry war crimes by cutting off water, food, and lifesaving medical care.”

The Biden administration doesn’t support a total ceasefire, standing by Israel’s right to defend itself after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that killed more than 1,400 Israelis. But President Joe Biden has called for pauses in the fight to allow for humanitarian assistance, and Israel agreed to daily four-hour breaks to benefit civilians, the Biden administration said last week.

Tlaib continued her criticism of the president, arguing a majority of the country supports a ceasefire, including many in his own party.

“President Biden, I hope you’re listening. I’m consistent in telling this over and over again,” she said. “You must listen to the voices of the majority of Americans who are calling for a ceasefire now. So today again, please look to the majority of your residents, many of which supported you. They’re calling on you to do what’s right.”

The comments come even after the House voted last week to censure Tlaib for “promoting false narratives” about the Oct. 7 attack against Israel by the Hamas militant group and allegedly calling for the “destruction of the state of Israel.” That resolution passed after 22 Democrats joined nearly all Republicans in supporting the measure, citing concerns with Tlaib’s use of the phrase “from the river to the sea,” a phrase often used to promote Palestinian liberation but that has also been adopted by the Hamas militant group to advocate the destruction of Israel.

Tlaib has repeatedly pushed back on efforts to censure her, accusing her colleagues of taking time and effort away from “saving lives” in Gaza. Several of Tlaib’s fellow liberal Democrats have defended her since the censure resolution passed, lamenting that Congress members used the resolution to silence the only Palestinian American in Congress.

“[Tlaib is] the only Palestinian American woman in the history of the United States, and they have censured her for standing for her humanity,” said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY). “We will not allow that to deter us. This is our moment. This is the moment for all who stand up for human dignity.”

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The Democratic colleagues were joined by a group of Jewish rabbis, who urged Congress to halt any legislation fueling the war in Israel. Democrats introduced the Ceasefire Now Resolution on Oct. 16, although it’s unclear whether the bill will be called to the floor for a full vote. Providing aid to Israel is something both parties strongly agree with, although there are a handful of detractors on both sides.

The House passed $14.3 billion in aid for Israel as it defends itself, although the legislation is unlikely to advance through the Democratic-led Senate after Republicans attached a provision in the bill that would cut $14.3 billion in funding from the IRS to offset the cost.