In the midst of the Israel-Hamas war, a legal group called the Coolidge Reagan Foundation has urged the State Bar of Michigan to investigate and sanction “Squad” member Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., for her alleged antisemitic rhetoric. Tlaib, who is an active attorney in Michigan, has been accused of spreading “vile, antisemitic lies to foster hatred towards a people.”
The foundation’s counsel, Dan Backer, stated that Tlaib violated the Michigan bar’s ethics code with her rhetoric. Backer also mentioned his initial focus on individuals from Harvard and Columbia law schools who were spreading similar rhetoric. The foundation believes that people who engage in such behavior should be held accountable.
Backer further emphasized the need for accountability, stating that “people do horrible s— and they’re never held accountable for it.” He suggested that increased scrutiny, such as having cameras on people’s faces, can deter bad behavior. Backer cited the example of calls received by the nonprofit Accuracy in Media from Harvard students who wanted their names removed from the organization’s “doxxing truck” after signing a letter supporting Hamas.
The complaint filed by the Coolidge Reagan Foundation accuses Tlaib of making false, discriminatory, and antisemitic comments in response to the atrocities committed by Hamas against Israeli civilians. The complaint references Tlaib’s censure by the House of Representatives for her reprehensible statements. It also highlights her embrace of violent destruction against Israel and false accusations of genocide against President Joe Biden and the Israeli government.
The foundation urges the State Bar of Michigan to initiate an investigation and impose appropriate sanctions against Tlaib, considering her spreading of anti-Semitic propaganda and lies in support of a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization. Tlaib’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Tlaib has faced significant criticism for her anti-Israel and antisemitic remarks, including her endorsement of the genocidal call against Jews “from the river to the sea.” While Tlaib argues that the phrase represents peaceful coexistence, even the Biden White House acknowledges its potential to be considered antisemitic.
During an interview, Fox Business correspondent Hillary Vaughn questioned Tlaib about her use of the phrase. Despite the controversial nature of the phrase, Tlaib did not respond to Vaughn’s inquiry.
This article features contributions from Digital’s Adam Shaw and Hillary Vaughn. Houston Keene, a politics writer for Digital, contributed to the reporting.
