Washington, D.C | November 7, 2023 —The Arab-American Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) strongly condemns the continued attempts to censor and silence Representative Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian American in Congress.
The ADC finds it unacceptable that Representative Tlaib’s advocacy and use of the chant “from the river to the sea,” a call for justice and equality, is being misrepresented. This slogan, which is a part of the Palestinian narrative, is a demand for democratic coexistence between Jews and Arabs, contrary to the accusation of it being a call for genocide against Jews. The attempts to redefine this chant by those who are not Palestinian is an overreach and mischaracterization.
It is particularly disheartening to see members of the Democratic Party partaking in these censorious actions. The ADC condemns the actions of those who have joined this pile-on against Representative Tlaib for her defense of Palestinian rights and the assertion of their narrative.
The ADC also finds it reprehensible that the debate over this chant is distracting from the urgent need to address the ongoing violence and human rights violations in Gaza where over 10,000 people have been killed by Israel in the past month. The focus should be on promoting peace and protecting civilian lives, rather than on silencing a representative who gives voice to Palestinian Americans and their right to self-determination.
Representative Tlaib’s statement makes clear her commitment to peaceful coexistence and human rights for all in the region, and it is imperative that her words not be taken out of context or used to further political divides. Rather, her colleagues should heed her call to focus on the humanitarian crisis and work towards a resolution that upholds the dignity and rights of all people.
The ADC stands firmly against any form of racism and discrimination and supports the rights of all individuals, including Representative Tlaib, to express their views without fear of censorship or misrepresentation.