Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) on Sunday criticized Israel’s “occupation” policies and said she mourns those killed as violence engulfed the region following Hamas’ unprecedented incursion from Gaza.
Tlaib, the first Palestinian-American to be sworn into Congress in 2019, issued the statement criticizing Israel as an “apartheid” state after some of her fellow “Squad” members sparked controversy Saturday for urging an end to the fire in the Middle East.
“I mourn the Palestinian and Israeli lives lost yesterday, today and every day. “I am determined as always to fight for a just future where everyone can live in peace, without fear and with true freedom, equal rights and human dignity,” Tlaib said.
“The path to that future must include lifting the blockade, ending the occupation and dismantling the apartheid system that creates suffocating and dehumanizing conditions that can lead to resistance.”
Tlaib did not condemn the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas, which launched a sneak attack that included a barrage of thousands of rockets and a ground attack on Israel on Saturday, prompting retaliatory attacks by the US ally and its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to declare that the country was at “war.”
“Failure to recognize the violent reality of living under siege, occupation and apartheid does not make anyone safer. No person, no child anywhere should suffer or live in fear of violence. We cannot ignore the humanity that is in each of us,” she said.
Rashida Tlaib has called Israel an apartheid state in the past. Getty Images
“As long as our country provides billions in unconditional funding to support the apartheid government, this heartbreaking cycle of violence will continue,” Tlaib added.
Tlaib is no stranger to controversial comments about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Throughout her political career, Tlaib has attacked Israel’s settlement policies in the West Bank and the blockade around the Gaza Strip.
In July, along with Rep. Cory Bush (D-Mo.), he boycotted Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s joint address to Congress.
One of her fellow ‘squad members’, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), who along with Tlaib became the first Muslim woman member of Congress in 2019, called out Hamas by name.
“I condemn the horrible acts we are seeing unfold today in Israel against children, women, the elderly and unarmed people who are being massacred and taken hostage by Hamas.” Omar said in a statement. Saturday.
Supporters of the Palestine Pakistan Foundation burn representations of Israel and American flags and chant slogans against Israeli airstrikes in Gaza.AP The Squad has criticized US policies toward Israel.AP
“This senseless violence will only repeat the cycle of back and forth that we have seen.”
Other members of the “Squadron” called for a ceasefire in the region.
“Today is devastating for all those seeking lasting peace and respect for human rights,” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) said in a statement Saturday. “I condemn the Hamas attack in the strongest possible terms. No child or family should ever endure this type of violence and fear, and this violence will not solve the current oppression and occupation in the region.
“An immediate ceasefire and de-escalation is urgently needed to save lives.”
Palestinians at the Erez crossing, also known as the Beit Hanoun crossing, between Israel and the northern Gaza Strip.Ahmed Zakot/SOPA Images/Shutterstock Rashida Tlaib was the first Palestinian-American elected to Congress.Graeme Sloan/ Sipa USA
The Hamas surprise attack, which took Israeli defense and intelligence by surprise, came just one day after the 50th anniversary of the start of the Yom Kippur War, in which Israel defended a coalition of Arab states led by Egypt. and Syria.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised “powerful revenge” and that Israel will emerge “victorious” from the conflict.
Israel has begun bombing a key Hamas site in the Gaza Strip and indicated that a prolonged and powerful crackdown is coming in retaliation.
As of Sunday afternoon, the death toll stood at least 700 and 2,100 missing on the Israeli side, according to health officials.
On the Palestinian side, more than 313 Palestinians are reported dead and 1,990 missing, including 20 dead and 121 children injured, according to the Ministry of Health.
Congress has been plunged into paralysis due to the impeachment of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) last week.
But some lawmakers have already raised the possibility of replenishing Israel’s sophisticated Iron Dome missile defense system.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn