Politics /

Ilhan Omar Throws Support Behind Tlaib Amidst Censure Resolution

'I Am My Sister’s Keeper And I Will Walk Through Fire For Her'

Published: October 27, 2023
  |   By Christopher Bertman

Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar has expressed support for Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib amidst efforts to censure her over antisemitic comments.

On Thursday, Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene introduced a resolution to censure the Michigan representative for “antisemitic activity, sympathizing with terrorist organizations, and leading an insurrection at the United States Capitol Complex.”

Omar threw support behind fellow progressive member of The Squad in a Thursday X post.

“We lovingly call Rashida Tlaib Mama Bear, because she is loving and protective,” Omar wrote. “She shows humanity to colleagues who constantly dehumanize her and those who share our faith. She loves the people she represents regardless of who they are.”

“I am my sister’s keeper and I will walk through fire for her,” she continued. “I admire her leadership and conviction. People can harass or try to censure her, but she will never be forced into submission. None of us will.”

Greene’s resolution references previous remarks from Tlaib including a 2019 statement in which the Michigan representative said thinking about the Holocaust gave her a “calming feeling.”

In 2020, Rep. Tlaib also deleted a retweet of the slogan, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” which critics have suggested references the destruction of the Jewish state of Israel.

Greene also took aim at Tlaib in a Thursday X post.

“Rashida Tlaib is an anti-Semite, pro-Hamas, and led an insurrection into the Capitol complex,” Greene wrote in reference to last week’s demonstration in Washington in which pro-Palestine and anti-Zionist protestors entered the Capitol Rotunda. “Every member of Congress will be on record. Including every Democrat. Will they condemn Rashida Tlaib’s hatred or support her sympathy for terrorists?”

Greene also provided a video featuring Tlaib’s Holocaust comment among other remarks critical of the Jewish state.

On Wednesday, fellow House Democrat and Florida Rep. Jared Moskowitz also threw support behind censuring Tlaib during an appearance on Fox News. Moskowitz criticized Tlaib’s support for what appeared to be a false or misleading story that suggested Israel was responsible for bombing a hospital in the Gaza Strip which killed over 500 people.

“Let’s remember, the hospital wasn’t hit,” Moskowitz told Fox News’ Kayleigh McEnany. “The hospital is still there. It’s the parking lot of the hospital.”

Moskowitz told McEnany a censure resolution for Tlaib should come to the House floor.

“It’s been disgusting, what happened in that hospital issue with the media was disgusting, it exposed all sorts of anti-Semitism,” Moskowitz said. “I guess we can dispel with the lie Jews control the media.”

Tlaib issued a statement in response to Greene’s resolution on Thursday and referred to it as “Islamophobic.”

“Marjorie Taylor Greene’s unhinged resolution is deeply Islamophobic and attacks peaceful Jewish anti-war advocates,” Tlaib wrote. “I am proud to stand in solidarity with Jewish peace advocates calling for a ceasefire and an end to the violence.”

“I will not be bullied, I will not be dehumanized, and I will not be silenced,” she added. “I will continue to call for ceasefire, for the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid, for the release of hostages and those arbitrarily detained, and for every American to be brought home. I will continue to work for a just and lasting peace that upholds the human rights and dignity of all people, and ensures that no person, no child has to suffer or live in fear of violence.”

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