A Democratic congressman is supporting Republicans who want to censure lawmakers they claim have been openly brazen with antisemitic rhetoric and false claims about Israeli aggression.
Florida Representative Jared Moskowitz, who is Jewish, told Fox News host Kayleigh McEnany on Tuesday that Democrats, including Michigan Representative Rashida Tlaib, should be censured once a new House speaker is chosen.
A resolution was introduced Tuesday by Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican, who called Tlaib an "Israel hating America hating woman who does not represent anything America stands for."
Moskowitz cited widespread support for Israel among congressional members, in addition to Tlaib's recent statements following various media reports of Israel being responsible for a purported hospital bombing on October 17 in Gaza. U.S. intelligence agencies are among those who have refuted Israel's responsibility for the blast, as well as the number of casualties.
"Listen, I think once we get a House speaker here, I think that censure resolution will come to the floor," Moskowitz told McEnany. "And I do think it's something that everyone should consider."
Moskowitz added: "This is about U.S. intelligence. This is about U.S. information. This is about not willing to trust the Biden administration and U.S. intelligence, but instead continuing to pretend like the Ministry of Health out of Gaza is nothing other than a terrorist organization telling people what we want to hear."
He went on to refer to it as "propaganda to the 10th degree," saying he is "disappointed" in fellow members of Congress who will not adhere to facts.
"Any member of Congress who continues to trust Hamas's information over U.S. information is obviously deeply concerning," he added.
Newsweek reached out to Moskowitz via email for comment.
Moskowitz has also been critical of the White House and press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who recently stated that the Biden administration has "not seen any credible threats" regarding a rise in antisemitism. She also mentioned "a disproportionate number of hate-fueled attacks" against Muslims.
On Monday, Tlaib—who has been joined by progressive Democrats in calling for a ceasefire since Hamas initially attacked Israel on October 7—released a statement on the reported bombing of the Al-Ahli Hospital.
"Media outlets and third-party analysts have raised doubts about claims and evidence offered by both Israel and the Gaza Ministry of Health, and I agree with the United Nations that an independent investigation is necessary," Tlaib said.
"I cannot uncritically accept Israel's denials of responsibility as fact, especially in light of confirmation from the World Health Organization that Israel has bombed numerous medical facilities in Gaza and reports from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society of ongoing threats from the Israeli military to evacuate hospitals."
She added that both the Israeli and U.S. governments "have long, documented histories of misleading the public about wars and war crimes," referring specifically to the false claims regarding weapons of mass destruction that led to the Iraq War two decades ago.
Newsweek reached out to Tlaib via email for comment.
A separate resolution censuring Tlaib was initially introduced by another Michigan legislator, Republican Jack Bergman, on October 11—days before the hospital in Gaza gained widespread publicity.
"As Hamas terrorists beheaded infants, paraded dead Jewish teenagers through town, and attacked innocent concert goers in the most deadly day for Jews since the Holocaust, Rep. Rashida Tlaib chose to place the blame solely on Israel and the Jewish people," Bergman said in a statement supporting censure.
"There is no moral equivalence between Israel defending itself and Hamas attacking innocent Israeli civilians. Tlaib's long history of anti-Semitic tropes and blatant anti-Jewish propaganda is both disturbing and evil—and should have no place in the halls of Congress," he said.
Texas Representative Morgan Luttrell, a Republican who joined Bergman in introducing the resolution, said Tlaib's comments were made worse when she referred to Israel as an "apartheid state."
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About the writer
Nick Mordowanec is a Newsweek reporter based in Michigan. His focus is reporting on Ukraine and Russia, along with social issues and politics. Nick joined Newsweek in 2021 from The Oakland Press and his reporting has been featured in The Detroit News and other publications. His reporting on the opioid epidemic garnered a statewide Michigan Press Association award. He is a graduate of Michigan State University. You can get in touch with Nick by emailing n.mordowanec@newsweek.com. Languages: English.
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