 [NY Post] Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) on Sunday blasted Israel’s "occupation" policies while saying she grieves those killed as violence engulfed the region following Hamas’ unprecedented incursion from Gaza.
Tlaib — the first Palestinian-American sworn into Congress back in 2019 — issued the statement slamming Israel as an "apartheid" state after some of her fellow "Squad" members sparked controversy Saturday for urging a ceasefire in the Middle East.
"I grieve the Palestinian and Israeli lives lost yesterday, today, and every day. I am determined as ever 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 the suffocating, dehumanizing conditions that can lead to resistance."
Tlaib did not condemn the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas, which launched a sneak attack involving a barrage of thousands of rockets and a ground assault into Israel on Saturday — sparking retaliatory strikes by the US ally and its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to declare the country was at "war."
"The failure to recognize the violent reality of living under siege, occupation, and apartheid makes no one safer. No person, no child anywhere should have to suffer or live in fear of violence. We cannot ignore the humanity in each other," she said.
"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 remarks on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Throughout her time in politics, Tlaib has assailed Israel’s settlement policies in the West Bank and the blockade around the Gaza Strip.
Back in July alongside Rep. Cory Bush (D-Mo.), she boycotted Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s joint address to Congress.
One of her ’Squad’ peers, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) — who along with Tlaib became the first female Muslim members of Congress in 2019 — called out Hamas by name.
"I condemn the horrific acts we are seeing unfold today in Israel against children, women, the elderly, and the unarmed people who are being slaughtered and taken hostage by Hamas," Omar said in a statement Saturday.
"Such senseless violence will only repeat the back and forth cycle we’ve seen."
Other members of the "Squad" called for a ceasefire in the region.
"Today is devastating for all those seeking a lasting peace and respect for human rights," Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) said in a statement Saturday. "I condemn Hamas’ attack in the strongest possible terms. No child and family should ever endure this kind of violence and fear, and this violence will not solve the ongoing oppression and occupation in the region.
Hamas’ surprise attack, which caught Israeli defense and intelligence flatfooted, came just one day after the 50th anniversary of the start of the Yom Kippur War, which saw Israel fend off a coalition of Arab states led by Egypt and Syria.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised "mighty vengeance" and that Israel will emerge "victorious" in the raging conflict.
Israel has begun bombarding key Hamas site in the Gaza Strip and indicated that a lengthy and powerful crackdown is looming in retaliation.
As of Sunday afternoon, the death toll stood at least 700 dead and 2,100 missing on the Israeli side, per health officials.
On the Palestinian side, over 313 Palestinians are reported dead and 1,990 reported missing, including 20 killed and 121 injured children, according to the Health Ministry.
Congress has been gripped by paralysis due to the ouster of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) last week.
Not really, but go on
But some lawmakers have already dangled the prospect of replenish Israel’s sophisticated Iron Dome missile defense system.
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