Democrat Rep. Jared Moskowitz Calls for Censure of Rashida Tlaib Over Controversial Comments
Representative Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) has expressed his openness to the idea of censuring fellow House Democrat Representative Rashida Tlaib (Mich.) over her recent comments regarding the ongoing conflict between Hamas and the Israeli military. The controversy arose after a terror attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7.
During an interview with Fox News, Mr. Moskowitz, who is Jewish, criticized Ms. Tlaib, the daughter of Palestinian immigrants, for suggesting that the Israeli military may have been responsible for a strike at the al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry claimed that the strike resulted in the deaths of up to 500 people on October 17.
Hamas publicly blamed the Israeli military for the hospital blast, but the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted a review and denied the allegation. They stated that the blast was more likely caused by an errant rocket launched by members of the Gaza-based Palestinian Islamic Jihad faction.
The IDF also revealed that they intercepted a phone call in which “terrorists were well-aware that a rocket had misfired” and specifically mentioned the al-Ahli Hospital. They accused Hamas of intentionally inflating the body count to gain international support. Aerial images indicated that the casualties were not a result of a direct hit on the hospital but rather occurred in the parking lot.
President Joe Biden later announced that an independent U.S. intelligence assessment confirmed that the IDF was not responsible for the blast.
Despite the evidence pointing to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad faction, Ms. Tlaib shared a post on social media blaming Israel for the blast and mocking President Biden for not supporting calls for a ceasefire. She continues to give equal weight to Hamas’s claims, leaving open the possibility that Israel could still be at fault.
In a press statement, Ms. Tlaib called for an independent investigation into the hospital blast and accused both the United States and Israeli governments of misleading the public about war crimes. The UK and Canadian governments have conducted their own assessments, which align with the IDF and United States’ conclusions.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) smiles at a House hearing in front of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, in Washington on July 12, 2019. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)
When asked about Ms. Tlaib’s refusal to retract her comments, Mr. Moskowitz expressed his disappointment in members of Congress who ignore U.S. intelligence and the Biden administration’s statements. He suggested that a censure resolution should be considered once a new House speaker is in place. This indicates a growing backlash against Ms. Tlaib’s remarks on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Greene Files Censure Resolution
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) has introduced her own censure resolution against Ms. Tlaib, with support from Representatives John Carter (R-Texas), Mike Collins (R-Ga.), Mary Miller (R-Ill.), and Randy Weber (R-Texas).
Ms. Greene’s resolution accuses Ms. Tlaib of engaging in antisemitic activity and highlights various comments she has made about the Israel-Palestinian situation dating back to 2019.
The Republican-led censure resolution also accuses Ms. Tlaib of leading an “insurrection” at the U.S. Capitol on October 18. This claim stems from Ms. Tlaib’s participation in a political rally calling for a ceasefire, during which she addressed a crowd of protesters outside the Capitol. Some members of the group later entered the Cannon House office building, leading to arrests and expulsions by Capitol Police.
Ms. Greene’s resolution further alleges that at least one group message shared among the protesters called for a “Global Intifada,” which refers to a “rebellion” or “struggle” in Arabic.
The censure resolution states, “Rashida Tlaib led an insurrection at the United States Capitol Complex on October 18, 2023, which put Members of Congress, their staffs, and Capitol visitors in danger by shutting down elevators, stairwells, and points of egress, while obstructing official business in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, including a Senate Foreign Affairs Committee hearing.”
NTD News reached out to Ms. Tlaib’s office for comment but did not receive a response at the time of publication.
The debate over Representative Tlaib’s comments highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It is crucial for elected officials to approach such sensitive issues with nuance and accuracy, as misinformation can further escalate the situation and damage diplomatic relations. Mr
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