Members of the far-left ‘squad’ of House Democrats are vowing to snub Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s joint tackle to Congress subsequent week, and so they’re not mincing phrases.
Rep. Ilhan Omar, Minnesota Democrat, kicked off the boycott in a prolonged social media thread, citing the Jewish nation’s 2019 resolution to bar her and Rep. Rashida Tlaib from visiting over their help for the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions motion.
“There is no way in hell I am attending the joint session address from a President whose country has banned me and denied @RashidaTlaib the ability to see her grandma,” tweeted Ms. Omar.
She was adopted by Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri, who accused Israel of “enforcing an apartheid state.” Reps. Jamaal Bowman and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York are additionally reportedly planning to skip the speech.
“The Israeli government is responsible for enforcing an apartheid state and rampantly abusing the rights of Palestinians,” mentioned Ms. Bush in a Thursday tweet. “Congress should not be giving a platform to the President of a country that shows no respect for human rights. I will not be attending his joint address.”
There is not any means in hell I’m attending the joint session tackle from a President whose nation has banned me and denied @RashidaTlaib the power to see her grandma. A thread👇🏽
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) July 13, 2023
Mr. Herzog is scheduled to satisfy with President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on the White House throughout the go to to Washingotn on Tuesday and Wednesday, in addition to ship the joint tackle to Congress.
“As Israel celebrates its 75th anniversary, the visit will highlight our enduring partnership and friendship. President Biden will reaffirm the ironclad commitment of the United States to Israel’s security,” mentioned White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre in an announcement.
Mr. Bowman instructed Axios that he’s “probably going to be boycotting,” citing “the treatment of Palestinians.” Ms. Ocasio-Cortez instructed Axios and Jewish Insider that she’s not planning to attend. Ms. Tlaib, Michigan Democrat, has not spoken publicly about her plans.
Their plans to spurn the tackle had been condemned by Republicans who blasted the choice as antisemitic. Some Democrats additionally questioned the knowledge of sitting out.
“I think it’s terrible,” Rep. Kathy Manning, North Carolina Democrat, instructed the Jewish Insider. “I think they ought to listen to what he has to say. If you’re not willing to listen to the president, who is trying to achieve the right thing for his country — why close yourself off?”
Will Reinert, National Republican Congressional Committee spokesperson, ripped the “hateful boycott,” asking “How long will House Democrats allow this rabid anti-Semitism to grow in their ranks?”
“Whether it’s Ilhan Omar, Hakeem Jeffries or Rashida Tlaib, the entire House Democrat caucus is all too happy to ignore the rampant anti-Semitism in their party,” Mr. Reinert mentioned. “With each comment ignored, these bigoted members feel more emboldened to ramp up their hateful rampages.”
https://t.co/VgvWjc8gyU pic.twitter.com/SSlbdR5STp
— Will Reinert (@willreinert) July 14, 2023
This isn’t the primary time Democrats have snubbed an Israeli chief. Fifty-eight Democrats boycotted a 2015 joint tackle to Congress by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Ms. Omar mentioned that inviting Mr. Herzog to talk sends the “wrong signal.”
“The United States can and should use its diplomatic tools to engage with the Israeli government, but giving the current government the honor of a joint televised address sends the absolute wrong signal at the wrong time,” mentioned Ms. Omar.
Last month, six House Democrats boycotted a speech by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the nation’s remedy of its minority Muslim inhabitants.
Content Source: www.washingtontimes.com