New Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib Condemned for Deploying ‘Dual Loyalty’ Antisemitic Canard in Twitter Attack on Middle East Bill
Ben Cohen
Michigan Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib embraces House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at the first session of the US Congress in 2019. Photo: Reuters / Jonathan Ernst.
Newly-elected Michigan Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib came under fire on Monday for tweeting that fellow legislators who supported a bill to strengthen US security measures in the Middle East “forgot what country they represent” — invoking, in the eyes of many observers, the classic antisemitic canard that Jews care only for their own community and the State of Israel, and not the countries in which they reside as loyal citizens.
Tlaib was commenting on an earlier tweet from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) complaining that the first bill during the current US government shutdown “is legislation which punishes Americans who exercise their constitutional right to engage in political activity.” Sanders was referring to those parts of the bill — primarily focused on measures enhancing security cooperation between the US, Israel and Jordan, as well as prosecuting war crimes committed by the Assad regime against its own citizens in Syria — that would penalize the implementation of economic and commercial boycotts targeting Israel.
Tlaib responded by introducing the “dual loyalty” accusation — leveled against Jews or those perceived as Jews across several centuries, often with devastating consequences — to make the point that “boycotting is a right.”
Rashida Tlaib✔@RashidaTlaib
They forgot what country they represent. This is the U.S. where boycotting is a right & part of our historical fight for freedom & equality. Maybe a refresher on our U.S. Constitution is in order, then get back to opening up our government instead of taking our rights away.
Bernie Sanders✔@SenSanders
It’s absurd that the first bill during the shutdown is legislation which punishes Americans who exercise their constitutional right to engage in political activity. Democrats must block consideration of any bills that don’t reopen the government. Let’s get our priorities right. https://twitter.com/theintercept/status/1081664403622252544 …
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