Several commentators on social media condemned Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., for protesting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday, during which she held a sign calling him a “war criminal.”
During his address, Netanyahu criticized Gaza cease-fire demonstrations across the U.S. and accused Iran of funding those protests. While many praised his leadership and speech, several Democrats boycotted the event, including Tlaib, a Palestinian American and one of Israel’s harshest critics in the House of Representatives. Tlaib has called for Netanyahu to be arrested by the International Criminal Court. She staged a silent protest during his speech, holding a double-sided sign that read “guilty of genocide” on one side and “war criminal” on the other.
According to Fox News a member of the House sergeant-at-arms’ staff spoke to Tlaib multiple times, leading her to eventually put the sign down. Despite this, social media erupted over her display.
“Rashida Tlaib continues to be an absolute disgrace,” Senator Thom Tillis wrote on X:
“In other news today, Rashida Tlaib identified as a war criminal during the speech by the Israeli Prime Minister. While we knew that she was a lawbreaker, we had no idea she’d been in a war and broke the law. Not surprised,” joked Allen Mashburn:
Judicial Watch president Tom Fitton also condemned the congresswoman, tweeting, “Breaking: Terrorist supporter sits in Congress.”
“Tlaib turned herself into a meme,” commented reporter Ryan Saavedra on X.
Students for Life president Kristan Hawkins humorously edited the photo to have the sign say, “Stop aborting babies,” and responded, “So true, Congresswoman Tlaib!”
Tlaib defended her actions on X: “I will never back down in speaking truth to power. The apartheid government of Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians. Palestinians will not be erased. Solidarity with all those outside of these walls in the streets protesting and exercising their right to dissent.”