Tlaib’s anti-Israel hostility: Letters to the Editor — Nov. 24, 2023

Rashida Tlaib speaks during a news conference calling for a cease-fire in November. AFP via Getty Images

The Issue: Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s remarks criticizing Israel in the wake of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack.

Rep. Rashida Tlaib is a deplorable human being (“Expel Rashida Tlaib,” Editorial, Nov. 19).

The opinions and drivel that she pushes on a daily basis are just as deplorable. She promotes and supports the scum of the Earth.

Unfortunately, her venomous views fall under the protection of the First Amendment.

Congress has never expelled anyone who either has not been convicted of a crime or given his or her support to the Confederacy.

Expelling Tlaib for her heinous views would be a slippery slope. While I would be overjoyed to see her kicked out, it is up to the district she represents to do that, absent an actual crime.

Peter W. Kelly

Hazlet, NJ

Only 22 Democrats supported the censure of Tlaib, which of course did not include our Upper West Side hero, the famous Rep. Jerry Nadler. We’ve also heard crickets from Sen. Chuck Schumer.

I’m not Jewish, but if I was, those two would never, ever get my vote.

They don’t really care about the community, only about keeping their jobs, and they surely believe the Jewish vote is theirs to hold.

Get smart and vote these bums out. Elections have consequences.

Philip Vallone

Ossining

As Israel escalated its assault on Gaza, Congress’ move to censure the Palestinian-American Tlaib shed light on the troubling “Palestine exception” to free speech.

Particularly striking is the poignant response from 87-year-old Holocaust survivor Marione Ingram.
Her impassioned plea at the White House, urging President Biden to call for a cease-fire, resonates deeply.

Ingram’s harrowing personal history drives her condemnation of the violence in Gaza, while she hails Tlaib as a hero for advocating peace.

Opposing ongoing atrocities is not an act of antisemitism but a vital lesson gleaned from history. The phrase “Never again” should promote the protection of all lives, irrespective of nationality or ethnicity.

Jajit Singh

Los Altos, Calif.

Many of those in Congress who voted against censuring Tlaib for her defense of Hamas’ slaughter and kidnapping of Israelis on Oct. 7 claim that her statements are merely protected free speech.

They discount her statements, including “Palestine will be free from the river to the sea,” as merely expressing unpopular ideas that nonetheless have a place in the current discourse. This is wrong.
Her words are exhortations for the destruction of Israel and violence toward Jews. Her statements are justifications of Hamas’ intended genocidal program.

Although she did not specifically say “kill the Jews,” her audience, here and abroad and across the Internet, knew exactly what she meant.

Hamas’ and her replacement theory clearly contemplate mass murder. When you hear the Muslim terrorists yell “Allahu Akbar,” you recognize it as a war cry. When you hear “Heil Hitler” or “Seig Heil,” you know what that means. You know the program it represents. So, too, is that true with Tlaib’s words.

Stanley M. Rubin

Fresh Meadows

While the FBI has gone gangbusters after former President Donald Trump, why aren’t they banging Tlaib’s door down at each of her residences and investigating her for ties to Hamas and other terrorist groups?

Her computer, cellphone and any other electronic devices should be seized and thoroughly examined.

This vicious woman who supports Hamas and incites hate has no business in the US government. Allowing her to remain will only attract more like her.

I’ll say it loud and proud: For the good of our nation, Tlaib must go ASAP.

Joann Lee Frank

Clearwater, Fla.

The vote by Congress to censure Tlaib was correct, and had nothing to do with violating her right to exercise freedom of speech.

Words have consequences and wrongful statements incite violence. Tlaib crossed the line and rightfully deserved to be admonished.

Ronald G. Frank

West Orange, NJ

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