Democrats Err on Side of Free Speech on Censure Move Against Tlaib for Anti-Israel Comments

House Democrats are largely defending Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., despite her latest controversial anti-Israel rhetoric, ahead of a scheduled vote Tuesday to censure her.

Tlaib, the only Palestinian-American in Congress, is facing censure for a second week in a row by Republicans seeking to condemn her for her latest criticism of Israel as it continues its deadly retaliatory barrage in Gaza after the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust.

Even observant Jewish Democrats say Tlaib has a right to express her views.

“First of all, I hate Hamas, the terrorist death cult," Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., told The Messenger. "But this is just a question of political free speech in Congress."

He said the House could easily reduce itself to tit-for-tat political resolutions day in and day out if free speech were put to the test.

"I mean, are we going to censure Republicans who vote against aid to Ukraine and praise Vladimir Putin, because we think that’s beyond the pale? Are we going to censure Speaker Johnson because he thinks gay people shouldn’t have a right to get married and should be able to be thrown into jail because they have sex with their partners?" Raskin asked. "This is where we’re headed.”

Tlaib faces dueling resolutions from Georgia GOP Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Rich McCormick, whose resolution will be considered on the House floor first. McCormick joined all Democrats and 22 other Republicans last week in voting against Greene's resolution to censure Tlaib, its controversial language comparing Tlaib's support of a peaceful anti-war protest with "leading an insurrection" at the Capitol.

McCormick's censure resolution up for floor consideration Tuesday seeks to punish Tlaib over her anti-Israel sentiments, including a video in which she invoked an oft-used phrase by militant Palestinians calling for a one-state solution that would eliminate Israel.

Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Ill., said he was offended by Tlaib's use of the phrase "from the river to the sea, Palestine shall be free" in her video posted on X, but said, "I think people have a right to express opinions."

However, he said the "river to the sea" phrase goes too far, and indicated he could support censure of his fellow Democrat because it "is a statement embraced by Hamas, a call for the destruction of Israel and the annihilation of Jews."

"This body needs to make a clear statement that that’s not acceptable rhetoric," Schneider said.

Tlaib defended herself on X, formerly known as Twitter on Tuesday, saying she is being misunderstood and her positions distorted by her colleagues. She said she will "continue to call for a mutual ceasefire" between Israel and Hamas and for "every American to be brought home" while continuing to call for peace.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., told The Messenger, “Our job is not to sanction people for freedom of speech."

California Democrat Zoe Lofgren said colleagues were welcome to vote their conscience on the issue — because that’s how the founding fathers designed the system.

“If we're gonna start saying that people in Congress can't say something we don't agree with without censure, that's a diversion from our past and from the Constitution,” Lofgren told The Messenger.