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Rashida Tlaib is Dangerous
It seems that few people are willing to recognize and say these words about Rashida Tlaib: she is dangerous. So I will. I don’t say these words lightly, because they are as destructive as the words that Tlaib utters. The difference is: they’re true.
Missing from the heated discussion about Rep. Tlaib is the larger picture. The media, Left and Right, have either been focusing on whether or not she is anti-Semitic, whether she is only anti-Zionist, whether her comments are “inartful” (as I heard one commentator say, or overhyped, as another writer said. I want to establish the case that Rep. is anti-Semitic, intentional, and strategic in her remarks, and why it matters. And that as long as we get tangled in the details, we won’t see her true aims. First, I will explain that although she was born in Detroit (not in the Middle East), she is very adept in pressing the case for the Palestinians, her parents’ country of origin. In true Palestinian extremist fashion, she is also crafty at demonizing Jews and Israelis through insinuation and lies. Second, I will show why her behavior is not only dangerous to Congress, but to the principles of this country.
Let’s begin with her take on the history of the Middle East. Like many Palestinians, she has a distorted view of the ancient presence of Jews in the region. Recently she made the following remark regarding the Jews who went to Israel after the Holocaust:
. . . in a discussion about why she opposes a two-state solution, she was trying to credit Palestinians for providing Jews a ‘safe haven,’ and saying she’s proud of that—not just proud, but that it gives her a ‘calming feeling,’ because at least her Palestinian ancestors tried to help.
This comment is not only historically untrue but her reference to a “calming feeling” is bizarre and untenable. I can’t imagine that a person, who believes the Palestinians were, and still are, so terribly abused by the Israelis, would feel compassion toward the Jews. I think if she believes that the Palestinians provided a safe haven for Jews, she would think they made a foolish decision at that time since Arabs have historically demonized Jews. Let’s not forget that the Arab states were going to wipe out the Jews after Israel was declared a state in 1948. I’m pretty sure that Tlaib knows that fact. John King of CNN made the following statement:
[Tlaib] ignored the fact that Palestinian leaders at the time allied themselves with Hitler and that total war is how the Arab world reacted to the declaration of Israeli independence,’ King said Monday. ‘She can’t rewrite that history and you can’t project revisionist history,’ he added before introducing his guest, Aaron David Miller, a former adviser to six secretaries of state, who castigated Tlaib for enflaming divisions by resorting to ahistorical Holocaust references.
‘They were considering extermination of the entire Jewish community there as well,’ Miller said of Palestinian leaders who believed German forces might arrive in the region after defeating allied forces in North Africa. ‘So this was ill-timed, ill-advised, and I think it clearly is simply going to antagonize and polarize the already polarized debate in Washington.’
Indeed.
I think Tlaib knows exactly what she is saying, whether she says it poorly or not. Her comments probably are poorly worded because she’s making a half-hearted effort to have them pass the scrutiny of Congress.
But instead, she is getting mixed reviews, and is trying to defend herself, saying her comments were misinterpreted:
It allows her, no less than Democratic leaders, to deflect criticism by claiming her words are being taken ‘out of context’ while couching her views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in an incoherent historical commentary.
But the proper context for these remarks is only too obvious, and it leads to the equally obvious conclusion that Tlaib’s views on Israel more or less align with those of Hamas and Hezbollah, groups that also oppose a two-state solution.
It’s also worth pointing out that she is a regular speaker for the Council for American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) which was formed by the Muslim Brotherhood. Sen. Ted Cruz has been calling for the Muslim Brotherhood in the US to be designated a terrorist group, but so far has been unsuccessful, even though the Brotherhood calls for a “grand jihad” and the destruction of Western Civilization in its mission statement.
These facts bring me to the reasons the Democrats are not criticizing her. First, they don’t want to be seen as Islamaphobic, since the Republicans have been branded as such for criticizing Tlaib. Second, she is a woman, which makes her off-limits to judge. Third, the Democrats don’t want to offend their Muslim constituents. And finally, and perhaps most distressing, we may be witnessing a renewal of hatred of the Jews by the Left.
Some Democrats realize what is happening:
This week, prominent Democrats announced a new group called Democratic Majority for Israel, led by the pollster Mark Mellman: ‘Most Democrats are strongly pro-Israel, and we want to keep it that way. There are a few discordant voices, but we want to make sure that what’s a very small problem doesn’t metastasize into a bigger problem.’
Let’s hope he’s not too late.
Finally, I believe that Rashid Tlaib must be called out every time she makes anti-Semitic comments. That’s the job of Republicans:
Rep. Liz Cheney (Wyo.), the third-ranking House Republican, doubled down after Hoyer called for an apology.
‘I am deeply sorry for our nation that the House Democratic leadership continues to enable the anti-Semitism in their ranks,’ Cheney tweeted in response to Hoyer.
House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) also characterized Tlaib’s remarks as anti-Semitic, saying in a statement that ‘there is no justification for the twisted and disgusting comments made by Rashida Tlaib just days after the annual Day of Holocaust Remembrance. More than six million Jews were murdered during the Holocaust; there is nothing ‘calming’ about that fact.’
President Trump has also been highly critical of her.
The dangers of not condemning Tlaib should not be ignored. Some of our most precious freedoms are at risk: freedom of religion and freedom of speech. Verbal attacks on Jews have been known to escalate; we only need to look at the recent synagogue attacks. Tlaib’s comments must be allowed, but not pass without judgment. The fact is, Tlaib can embrace her Muslim heritage and she can speak out whenever she wishes. But the people who abhor her words and deeds can also protect the Jews in this country and all over the world by speaking out. Tlaib can label the people who condemn her all she wants:
Tlaib accused Republicans of engaging in Islamophobia to stoke misconceptions about what she actually said about Israel and the Holocaust.
‘It’s more than just silencing a member of Congress. They are using my faith & ethnic background to promote their hate agenda that leads to more violence. The GOP has no policy agenda, and continues to enable a lawless President who doesn’t care about protecting our democracy,’ Tlaib tweeted.
Get used to it, Rep. Tlaib.
Published in Politics
Every time the word “Islamophobia” is used it must be pointed out that human beings have rights but ideas, including religious ideas, can be criticized and condemned. When people like Tlaib make morally repugnant statement, she ought to be condemned and being a member of a minority group is not an excuse.
We are reaping Ted Kennedy’s immigration policy. Designed to aid Irish Catholics it is now in service to Islamists and marxists.
I thank G-d every day that we have a home in Israel. Anyone who takes America for granted as a safe haven for Jews is a fool.
Seems to me that Jews and Jewish Democrats should be working to find and promote a primary challenger to her. I assume she comes from a very blue district.
After Pelosi tried and failed to condemn Omar’s comments I think Democrat leadership decided to shift strategy and defend anti-semitism by saying everything is taken “out of context.” I assume we will be hearing “out of context” quite a bit. Be nice if they could give us that missing context.
They aren’t using your “faith and ethnic background” Rep. Tlaib. They are using the words out of your fool mouth.
Totally agree and agree that “-phobia” words are weasel words that try to label disagreement as mental illness. Still, it is important to distinguish between Islam and Islamicism. I heard a long and fascinating podcast with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar andTyler Cowan in which Kareem called for an enlightenment within Islam similar to the one in the West, whereby church and state got separated and the idea of beheading heretics was given up. By today’s standards, Kareem (who is a devout Muslim) would be labeled an “islamaphobe”! And so would the majority of Muslims around the world, who probably agree with him.
BTW, besides being a great basketball player, he is also an expert on Afghan art, a serious jazz aficionado, an actor, and the author of a novel featuring Mycroft Holmes. I learned a lot from that podcast.
When she says that, we should say, Sticks and stones may break my bones. . .
. . .although remember, she was born here. . .
True, but recall that Ted Kennedy’s policy was implemented decades ago, so she may very well be the product of that process.
More likely, with Tliab and with AOC and Ilhan Omar, the best chance to be done with them in Congress at least will come with the 2022 redistricting, where their district is merged so that they’re paired with a more popular Democrat in a neighboring inner-city district.
I wasn’t aware that was going to be happening, @jon1979. By then, though, there still could be a radical Muslim running. Let’s hope the folks then will be more enlightened.
Depending on the make-up of the state legislatures in New York, Michigan and Minnesota, it may take the Democrats under-performing among swing voters in 2020, with those voters citing the radicalism of people like AOC, Tliab and Omar as a reason for their votes.
Republican-controlled or split legislatures in those states could also scuttle their safe districts, but since all three have Democratic governors, they’d have race and gender cards thrown in their faces for political gain by the Dems, even if the Democrats were secretly glad to have all three redistricted out of Washington. The GOP legislators also might decide to try and redistrict the saner neighboring Democratic congresspeople out of their and leave the three high-profile radicals in place for their own political purposes (that’s pretty much what the deal’s been the past 20 years here in Texas, where it’s been in the Republican-run legislature’s interest to keep Shelia Jackson Lee in place in Houston to boost the odds for GOP seats in surrounding areas).
Originally she said that the suffering of her parents ennobled them even though the Palestinians were no friends to the Jews. Then she retreated into her status as a victim though her victim status had absolutely nothing to do with anything. Both statements, held a worship of suffering.
Let’s ask the “real” experts: What does the Southern Poverty Law Center say about them? Hmmm . . . I don’t see anything there . . .
Another pov
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/05/13/rashida-tlaib-anatomy-smear/?utm_term=.e54a57c75ed8
From which
“You don’t fight anti-Semitism by joining up with a group of people animated by hate just because — for now — they say their hate isn’t directed at you.”
@zafar, the article is behind a pay wall. I’m not clear on the quote. Is he saying that anyone who criticizes Tlaib has joined a hate group?
Hi Susan. I don’t have a subscription. It let me in – perhaps because I was on my phone?
No, after five free visits they expect you to pay. I won’t–not the Washington Post.
Well here’s what Tlaib actually said, courtesy The Guardian (no pay wall):
“There’s always kind of a calming feeling I tell folks when I think of the Holocaust, and the tragedy of the Holocaust, and the fact that it was my ancestors – Palestinians – who lost their land and some lost their lives, their livelihood, their human dignity, their existence in many ways, have been wiped out, and some people’s passports,” Tlaib said in an interview with a Yahoo News podcast.
“And just all of it was in the name of trying to create a safe haven for Jews, post-the Holocaust, post-the tragedy and the horrific persecution of Jews across the world at that time,” she added.
“And I love the fact that it was my ancestors that provided that, right, in many ways. But they did it in a way that took their human dignity away and it was forced on them.”
While some questioned the historical accuracy of Tlaib’s comments, Republicans falsely claimed Tlaib had said it was the persecution and slaughter of 6 million Jews that somehow gave her calm.
“Rashida Tlaib says thinking of the Holocaust provides her a ‘calming feeling’,” Wyoming representative Liz Cheney, the third-ranking Republican in Congress, tweeted.
///
fwiw, that’s the context of the WaPo article – which seems to boil down to: it’s unrealistic to feed the beast and assume it will always be well disposed towards you.
Zafar, I can’t tell if Tlaib was taken out of context. I can’t tell what she was saying at all. Her first paragraph comes across as gibberish to me.
Her district, MI-13, is D+32, one of the most Democratic districts in the nation. She can only be beaten in the primary. Her prime Democratic opponent would be a black, Pro-choice Socialist, whose sole savings aspect would be that that candidate isn’t Anti-Semitic. Look for the most ambitious Detroit liberal in the Michigan legislature, and fund him or her.
If that is not successful, after the 2020 census, redistrict MI-13 and MI-14, to move Arab Americans from her district into MI-14, and more African Americans into her MI-13 district. The representative from her district, which elected John Conyers for 27 terms will never elect a Republican. But it can decline to elect an Anti-Semite.
Fair enough. I don’t care how she sees those of us who criticize her. What do I gain by having her well-disposed to me or those like me? Do you think she will change her mind? The reason her comments are inarticulate is because she is trying to have her cake and eat it,too: she is trying to “subtly” condemn Jews but not have anyone get upset with her. Unless she desists from her comments, people like me will continue to speak up. Let me clear: she has every right to say what she wishes, but I’m not going to sit by and say nothing.
Works for me, @garyrobbins!
That is not the beast the WaPo article thinks that (in their opinion materially unfounded) criticism of Tlaib as an antisemite is feeding.
Also: ‘beast’ is my paraphrasing, not their words.
I still don’t understand the point you’re trying to make, even after reading the entire article.
As Jerry said, none of it makes sense. Comparing her to Omar is not relevant; I didn’t even mention Omar. Let’s dissect what she said–her comments followed by mine in italics:
“There’s always kind of a calming feeling I tell folks when I think of the Holocaust, and the tragedy of the Holocaust, and the fact that it was my ancestors – Palestinians – who lost their land and some lost their lives, their livelihood, their human dignity, their existence in many ways, have been wiped out, and some people’s passports,” Tlaib said in an interview with a Yahoo News podcast.
Why would any of this give her a calming feeling? The tragedy of the Holocaust, that she feels the Palestinian lost so much is calming? And what the heck do passports have to do with it? The entire paragraph is bizarre. To equate what Palestinians have been through (to some degree their own fault) with the Holocaust is weird.
“And just all of it was in the name of trying to create a safe haven for Jews, post-the Holocaust, post-the tragedy and the horrific persecution of Jews across the world at that time,” she added. And I love the fact that it was my ancestors that provided that, right, in many ways. But they did it in a way that took their human dignity away and it was forced on them.”
This is a lie. The Palestinians didn’t welcome the Jews; they hated their presence. They certainly didn’t try to create a safe haven for them. The Jews have always been in that part of the world and were returning to their rightful land. If the Palestinians have lost their human dignity, they have themselves, in great part, to blame.
The worst thing to do is not to take her seriously. She is dead serious.
Everyone is, or should be, aware that Reps Omar and Tlaib are Trojan horses for Islamic supremacy through the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR (Hamas by any other name).
Here is a transcribed interview with M. Zuhdi Jasser who has been at the front line for fighting against Islamism. He has a specific comment about Tlaib:
Jasser: The Investigative Project on Terrorism and the Daily Caller have detailed the sordid connections seen with Rep. Tlaib and American Muslims for Palestine, a Hamas front group whose leaders met at her office on April 8, 2019. Joe Catron a longtime anti-Semite and extreme anti-Israel activist has openly supported terror organizations. Tlaib proudly photographed herself with Catron who has voiced love for Hezbollah on February 8, 2019 and who urged the terrorist group to launch rockets at Israel.
Tlaib gives voice to an Islamist supremacist movement that is a synergy between the Arab-Palestinian identity movement and the Hamas Islamist identity movement, both of which seek the destruction of Israel. So, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that she proudly put out a social media photo of a sticky note pasted over Israel with the word “Palestine” written over it, and that she is a vocal supporter of the BDS movement. She also has accused Jews of having dual allegiance to Israel while stating that she considers herself “more Palestinian in the halls of Congress than [she is] anywhere in the country, in the world.”
The fact that her statements get a free pass from Congress and from the media should give pause to all Americans, but especially to American Jews. Notice I said should.