Since the state of Israel’s inception in 1948, there have been differing foreign policy opinions and strategies that have divided legislators – sometimes within their own party. For instance, after the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) most recent military operation in Jenin, West Bank, Democrats in the House of Representatives demonstrated a variety of opinions, either denouncing or supporting Israel’s actions.
Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) went as far as to repeat her past position that the Jewish state was an “apartheid regime.”
Israeli forces are now blocking ambulances from reaching the dozens of wounded Palestinians after at least eight people were killed in Jenin.
Congress must stop funding this violent Israeli apartheid regime. https://t.co/uPEEhWDDrG
— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) July 3, 2023
“Israeli forces are now blocking ambulances from reaching the dozens of wounded Palestinians after at least eight people were killed in Jenin. Congress must stop funding this violent Israeli apartheid regime.”
However, the Director of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and former Special Assistant to President Obama, Jonathan Greenblatt called Rep. Tlaib’s comments “complete fiction.”
Even for @RashidaTlaib, the level of dishonesty here is truly staggering.
For starters, it’s a complete fiction. But equally important, this was a targeted action against armed terrorists who brutally murdered innocents, recklessly hid weapons under a mosque and intentionally… https://t.co/1KGuoM1qiz
— Jonathan Greenblatt (@JGreenblattADL) July 3, 2023
“Even for Rashida Tlaib, the level of dishonesty here is truly staggering. For starters, it’s a complete fiction. But equally important, this was a targeted action against armed terrorists who brutally murdered innocents, recklessly hid weapons under a mosque and intentionally located their ops center next to a school. But when members of congress knowingly slander the Jewish state in a time of rising anti-Jewish hate, they should be held accountable for fanning the flames and endangering Jewish people everywhere,” wrote Greenblatt.
Exactly 12 hours following Rep. Tlaib’s statement, Representative Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) supported the IDF’s mission.
I support the IDF's operation to remove Iranian-backed terrorist command centers in the West Bank city of Jenin. To be clear, Israel had asked the PA to do this for months, trying to avoid this because they know the international media and Israel’s detractors would blame them.
— Congressman Jared Moskowitz (@RepMoskowitz) July 4, 2023
“I support the IDF’s operation to remove Iranian-backed terrorist command centers in the West Bank city of Jenin. To be clear, Israel had asked the PA (Palestinian Authority) to do this for months, trying to avoid this because they know the international media and Israel’s detractors would blame them,” stated Rep. Moskowitz.
Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) concurred with Rep. Moskowitz, providing a flurry of tweets surrounding the IDF’s operation in Jenin.
For years, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad operated in the West Bank city of Jenin to plan and carry out deadly attacks across Israel, making it a hub and safe haven for terror networks. (2/3)
— Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (@RepDWStweets) July 3, 2023
“Israel has the unequivocal right to defend itself against perpetrators of violence and terrorist attacks. For years, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad operated in the West Bank city of Jenin to plan and carry out deadly attacks across Israel, making it a hub and a safe haven for terror networks. Tragically, terrorists often establish operations centers and weapon stockpiles in civilian areas. No country should be forced to stand down when there is overwhelming evidence of planned violence against its citizens.”
This is not the first time that Rep. Wasserman Schultz and Rep. Tlaib have been at odds concerning foreign policy surrounding Israel.
In September, Tlaib stated that you cannot claim to hold progressive values yet back Israel’s apartheid government."
Wasserman Schultz called Tlaib’s comments “nothing short of antisemitic” and “dangerous.”
The outrageous progressive litmus test on Israel by @RashidaTlaib is nothing short of antisemitic. Proud progressives do support Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish and democratic state. Suggesting otherwise is shameful and dangerous. Divisive rhetoric does not lead to peace.
— Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (@RepDWStweets) September 21, 2022
“The outrageous progressive litmus test on Israel by Rashida Tlaib is nothing short of antisemitic. Proud progressives do support Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish and democratic state. Suggesting otherwise is shameful and dangerous. Divisive rhetoric does not lead to peace.”
On July 3, the White House stated, “We support Israel’s security and right to defend its people against Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and other terrorist groups.”
