Progressive Democrat Rashida Tlaib, one of the loudest critics of Israel within the U.S. government, has remained silent after being asked to take a stance in condemning Hamas’ attack and justifying Israel’s decision to retaliate.
Early on Saturday, the Palestinian paramilitary group Hamas launched a surprise attack by land, sea, and air on Israel, killing hundreds of people, including civilians and soldiers, and kidnapping dozens. After the attack, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war on Hamas, and warned Israelis to brace themselves for a “long and difficult” conflict.
Tlaib, who is of Palestinian descent, faces calls to be primaried after releasing a statement on Sunday which called for Israel to lift its blockade of the Gaza Strip and condemned the country’s “apartheid” against Palestinians. The lawmaker said she mourned the loss of life on both the Palestinian and the Israeli sides.
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images
The “full siege” on Gaza announced by the Israeli government was condemned by the United Nations Human Rights chief Volker Turk on Tuesday, who said that such “sieges” are illegal under international law as they put civilians in a dire situation.
The Michigan Representative has not spoken up against calls for her to face a primary challenge in 2024, and she avoided responding to the questions of a journalist who cornered her on her way to Congress.
Hillary Vaughn, a Fox News correspondent, asked Tlaib about Hamas fighters’ actions in Israel, mentioning terrorists who [warning: graphic description] “cut off babies and burned children alive,” and whether she supported “Israel’s right to defend themselves against this brutality.”
As Tlaib kept walking on refusing to comment on the issue, Vaughn kept chasing her asking her repeatedly if she condoned the [warning: graphic description] “chopping off of babies’ heads.”
🚨WATCH: I asked Rep. Rashida Tlaib about Hamas terrorists chopping off babies heads, children being burned alive, and women being raped – she had nothing to say. pic.twitter.com/a3UvuvJ4hW
— Hillary Vaughn (@hillary__vaughn) October 11, 2023
She finally asked Tlaib, “why do you have a Palestinian flag outside your office if you don’t condone what Hamas terrorists have done to Israel?”
Tlaib did not comment.
This is a breaking news article and will be later updated.