Rashida Tlaib censured in US Congress with her party members' backing for comments against Israel
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Washington: The only Palestinian American in the US Congress, Rashida Tlaib, has been censured with the support of 22 members from her own party over allegations of promoting 'false narratives' about the recent Israel-Hamas conflict and advocating for the destruction of Israel.
The resolution passed with a vote of 234 to 188, with 22 members from her own Democratic Party aligning with Republicans in a rare bipartisan agreement. This marks a setback for Tlaib, who faced a similar but unsuccessful censure attempt last week.
Tlaib, a three-term congresswoman from Michigan, defended her stance before the vote, emphasizing that her criticisms were aimed at the Israeli government and its leader, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, rather than the people of Israel.
She argued against the notion that criticizing the government equates to anti-Semitism, calling it a dangerous precedent that silences voices advocating for human rights.
The decision comes amid a backdrop of heightened tensions in the Israel-Gaza conflict, with over 10,000 Palestinians reported killed during Israel's month-long bombardment of Gaza.
The US, traditionally a staunch ally of Israel, has faced international criticism for not endorsing a ceasefire, further intensifying global concern over the humanitarian crisis in the densely populated territory.