A group of progressive lawmakers from the House of Representatives, which included New York Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jamaal Bowman, Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar, Missouri Representative Cori Bush, and Michigan Representative Rashida Tlaib, decided not to attend President Herzog’s speech. They expressed concerns over what they perceive as “human rights abuses against Palestinians”.
As if they express such concern toward countries that statistically have the worst human rights conditions to date. According to findings made available by Statista “The countries with the highest human rights and rule of law index scores are located in Africa, East Asia, and Middle East. In a scale from zero to 10, where zero represents the best conditions and 10 the worst, Yemen had the highest points and was closely followed by Iran, and China”. Israel did not even make the long list.
Representative Bowman clarified that his decision not to attend was not a lack of support for Israel’s existence but rather a “concern for the safety and security of both Israelis and Palestinians in the region”. He emphasized the importance of urgently achieving a two-state solution.
Representative Tlaib, who is the only Palestinian-American serving in Congress, reiterated her criticism of Israel’s policies and President Herzog during her floor comments. She expressed her family connections to the West Bank and voiced her frustration with what she perceives as “Congress’ support for apartheid and its attempts to silence women of color who speak out against oppression”.
Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley issued a statement expressing her disappointment with the lawmakers’ stance and pledged to “remember this vote.” She listed the names of the nine members of Congress who, in her view, believe Israel is racist.
Despite the absence of some progressive Democrats, President Herzog’s address to a joint session of Congress displayed strong love and support for Israel from other lawmakers. Herzog received several long minutes of applause throughout his address to congress.
Why does Israel get under your skin? Because it’s democratic, pro-American, or Jewish?
You don't get worked up about massive human rights violations in China, Iran, Cuba, & Venezuela.
You all would fit in great with the anti-Semites at the United Nations. https://t.co/arE9BTwWtb
— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) July 20, 2023
Oooh, a list! 📝
Remember to call it “People in Congress who think apartheid is wrong”
or alternatively, “People in Congress who don’t ignore human rights abuses against Palestinians” https://t.co/zbOc9YdFbj
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 20, 2023
I’m a Palestinian peace activist, @AOC, and you’re wrong. The only people calling Israel an apartheid state are trying to promote antisemitism around the world. https://t.co/CdZLMLArwe pic.twitter.com/UhS5kRiWPv
— Bassem Eid (@realbassemeid) July 20, 2023
The vast majority of America + of Congress support a strong US-Israel relationship. Let’s right-size the fringe in society and in the House of Representatives who are haters + detractors. Watch me discuss @Isaac_Herzog‘s historic address to Congress on @JBSTVORG tonight @ 6pm ET. https://t.co/fVdc523f3G
— William Daroff (@Daroff) July 20, 2023
Emily and I expose all the truth about the "squad".
Let's get to know the hypocritical and anti-Israel members of Congress who, instead of dealing with the districts they were elected to represent, are busy obsessively inciting against Israel!@emilykschrader pic.twitter.com/oSsmQZR6cq— יוסף חדאד – Yoseph Haddad (@YosephHaddad) July 20, 2023
