Rashida Tlaib On House Floor Points To Palestinians 'Killed As The World Watches'

Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), along with several other progressive Democrats, spoke out Thursday to condemn Palestinians being killed as the world watches and the lack of recognition by U.S. leaders of the Palestinians suffering at the hands of Israel.

In a speech on the House floor , Tlaib, who is Palestinian American, said she was a reminder to Congress that Palestinians do indeed exist, that we are human.

And colleagues, Palestinians arent going anywhere no matter how much money you send to Israels apartheid government, Tlaib added, referring to the $3.8 billion in annual military aid that Congress sends to Israel.

It is our duty to end the apartheid system that for decades has subjected Palestinians to inhumane treatment and racism, Tlaib added, referencing Human Rights Watchs recent report accusing Israel of committing crimes of apartheid and persecution against Palestinians.

Palestinians are still suffering, still being dispossessed, still being killed as the world watches and does nothing, Tlaib said.

Violence has escalated dramatically in the region in recent days. There have been ongoing protests against the planned eviction of Palestinians from their homes in Sheikh Jarrah in East Jerusalem. Outcry grew last week after Israeli police cracked down on protesters, injured worshippers and unleashed tear gas in Al-Aqsa mosque during Ramadan.

Since Monday, Hamas has fired hundreds of rockets into several Israeli cities, killing at least six Israelis, including a child, according to the Israeli army. Israels repeated strikes into Gaza have killed 109 Palestinians , including 28 children, and have wounded hundreds more, according to Gazas ministry of health.

people really need to watch Rep. Tlaibs full remarks on what is being done to the Palestinian people, and share with your family and friends as well pic.twitter.com/7YusNFZYX5

Corey Atad (@CoreyAtad) May 13, 2021","type":"rich","meta":{"author":"Corey Atad","author_url":"https://twitter.com/CoreyAtad","cache_age":86400,"description":"people really need to watch Rep. 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people really need to watch Rep. Tlaibs full remarks on what is being done to the Palestinian people, and share with your family and friends as well pic.twitter.com/7YusNFZYX5
Corey Atad (@CoreyAtad) May 13, 2021

Several other Democratic Congress members also spoke out in support of Palestinian rights in speeches Thursday in the House.

Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) said that Hamass missile attacks should be condemned, but that doesnt make it a both sides issue, adding that we must acknowledge and condemn the disproportionate discrimination and treatment that Palestinians face.

Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) called out the grave asymmetry of power between Israel and the Palestinians, saying that as a Black woman in America, I am no stranger to police brutality and state-sanctioned violence, adding that Palestinians are told the same thing as Black folks in America: There is no acceptable form of resistance.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) said that the U.S. must acknowledge its role in the injustice and human rights violations of Palestinians, saying it is not about both sides; this is about balance of power.

Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) said that if Congress is looking for something productive to do with billions of dollars in aid, I have some communities in St. Louis County where that money can go.

Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minn.)condemned Hamass actions as well as Israels occupation of Palestinian territory, and criticized the unconditioned military aid that the U.S. sends to Israel.

How many of my colleagues are willing ... to stand for Palestinian human rights as they do for Israeli?
- Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.)

Tlaib called out the lack of recognition of Palestinian suffering by U.S. government leaders, including by President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and leaders of both parties.

To read the statements... youd hardly know Palestinians existed at all, Tlaib said, adding that there has been no recognition of the displacement of Palestinians in East Jerusalem or of Al-Aqsa being surrounded by violence, tear gas, smoke while people pray.

Earlier this week, Biden said Israel has a right to defend itself against rockets from Hamas, but he made no mention of the Palestinians who had been killed by Israeli airstrikes.

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No child, Palestinian or Israeli, whoever they are, should ever have to worry that death will rain from the sky. How many of my colleagues are willing to say the same, to stand for Palestinian human rights as they do for Israeli? Tlaib said. How many Palestinians have to die for their lives to matter?