House Democrats have distanced themselves from Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-MI. She has faced criticism for her comments on the conflict in Israel.

The Democratic Party, led by Rep. Brad Schneider of Illinois, is collecting signatures against the slogan “from the River to the Sea,” which refers to a political slogan that calls for Palestinian liberation. The letter doesn’t mention Tlaib but it comes days after Michigan Democrat, Tlaib posted a video of pro-Palestinian demonstrators marching across the country chanting this phrase. This prompted pushback from members of Tlaib’s own party who pointed out that the Hamas terrorist organization adopted the slogan to advocate for the destruction of Israel.

According to a copy of the letter obtained by Punchbowl News, “We support Israel’s right and duty to defend itself – to protect its citizens and secure its borders and rescue its hostages in Gaza.” “Israel has an obligation to protect civilians as much as possible and to adhere to international human rights law in all of its actions (despite Hamas’ total disregard for it).”

The letter denounces the phrase, calling it a “rallying call for the destruction of Israel’s State and the genocide of its Jewish population” and affirms U.S. backing for Israel in its defense.

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Tlaib shared a video with President Joe Biden on Friday, in which she claimed that he supported “the genocide” of the Palestinians. She warned him that his supporters of Israel would not be “with you on this issue.” The video shows pro-Palestinian demonstrators marching across the country, chanting “from the river to sea,” referring to land between the Mediterranean Sea & Jordan River which includes Israel & the occupied Palestinian Territories.

Some Democrats, however, pointed out instances where anti-Israel groups like Hamas have used the phrase in order to call for the destruction of the Jewish State.

As the only Jewish member in MI’s congressional delegaion, I have reached out to Arab and Muslim constituents, who I know feel fear and anguish at this time. I have also tried to reflect empathy in my response to this crisis. Rep. Elissa slotkin (D-MI), in a blog post on X, said that she asked the same question of Tlaib. “The phrase, ‘from river to sea’ is one that promotes division and violence, & is counterproductive in promoting peace. “None of us, including elected leaders, should use language that inflames tension & makes finding common ground more difficult for our communities.”

Tlaib posted later that the meaning was an “aspirational appeal for freedom, human right, and peaceful coexistence”, and not “death destruction or hatred.”

She added, “My advocacy and work is always focused on justice and dignity for everyone regardless of faith or ethnicity.”

The video was released after the House of Representatives voted to censure Tlaib over her remarks on Israel. The motion failed by a vote of 222-186. This vote exceeded the simple majority needed to stop the vote from being taken to the House floor. The measure failed when 23 Republicans joined with all Democrats to table the motion. They cited concerns over language in the bill that equated Tlaib’s actions as leading an “insurrection.”

Tlaib was accused in a censure resolution passed last week of “antisemitic activities” and of “leading an uprising” in the Capitol. This referenced a protest last month, when pro-Palestinian demonstrators rallied outside the offices of members to demand a ceasefire. According to the U.S. Capitol Police, more than 100 protesters were detained, and a few of them have been charged with assaulting officers.

Some members disagreed, however, with the use, especially in relation to the Jan. 6, riot, of the word “insurrection.” This was particularly true for Rep. Chip Roy, R-TX.

In a press release, he stated that “in January 2021 the legal term of insurrection had been stretched and abused” by many in response to the events at Capitol. “We shouldn’t continue to make claims of an ‘insurrection,’ and we shouldn’t abuse the term today.”

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-GA, said that she would reintroduce this measure in the coming week. She will replace the word “insurrection”, with “illegal occupation”, to try to gain the support necessary to censure Tlaib.