In a recent report by the Do No Harm organization, concerns have been raised about the adoption of identity politics in U.S. medicine, leading to a ‘fertile ground’ for antisemitism. As part of this ongoing issue, the House of Representatives held votes on Tuesday to reaffirm Israel’s right to exist and condemn the terrorist group Hamas, which revealed a division among members of the far-left “Squad.”
Out of the eight-person “Squad,” which includes prominent figures like Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Cori Bush, Rashida Tlaib, and Ilhan Omar, Reps. Tlaib and Bush were the only members to not vote in favor of H. Res. 888, which focused on Israel’s existence. Tlaib chose to vote “present,” while Bush did not vote at all. However, despite her past refusal to condemn the attack, Tlaib joined the rest of her “Squad” colleagues in voting for H. Res. 793, which condemned Hamas’ brutal Oct. 7 attack against Israel and demanded the release of its remaining hostages.
The votes sparked controversy, with Tlaib stating that “both Israelis and Palestinians have the right to live with democracy, safety, peace, and human dignity.” She criticized the resolution for failing to recognize the existence of Palestinians and for not acknowledging their historical and ongoing suffering. Tlaib argued against the notion of Israel’s “illegal occupation and apartheid” and called for a just and lasting peace that respects the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians.
On the other hand, Rep. Thomas Massie was the sole “No” vote against H. Res. 888, expressing concerns about equating anti-Zionism with antisemitism. He emphasized that while antisemitism is deplorable, expanding it to include criticism of Israel is not productive.
It is worth noting that several other members from both parties also abstained from voting on either resolution, although the reasons were not immediately clear. This divergence in the “Squad’s” stance on Israel represents a significant shift from their previous positions. In the aftermath of Hamas’ attack, most members of the group voted against a resolution condemning antisemitism on American college campuses.
Tlaib faced particular criticism for her response to the attacks, as she refused to condemn them and reiterated her debunked claim that Israel was behind the explosion at a Gaza hospital. As a result, the House voted to censure Tlaib, symbolically rebuking her comments.
These recent votes highlight the ongoing debate surrounding Israel’s existence and the role of identity politics in U.S. politics. The divisions among lawmakers reflect the complex nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the different perspectives within Congress. As discussions continue, it remains to be seen how these dynamics will shape future policy decisions and the broader discourse on the issue.
