re: Israel
Rashida Tlaib (via DFA) Unsubscribe
Aug 17, 2019, 12:00 PM (2 days ago)
to me
Peter,
I knew when I ran for Congress that I would face obstacles as a Muslim, Palestinian-American woman. I’ve dealt with sexism, racism, and Islamophobia my entire life -- so I knew that would continue if I pursued a high-profile public office and won. What I didn’t anticipate was for that discrimination to come from the President of the United States.
As you may have heard, I was supposed to join my friend and fellow Representative Ilhan Omar along with other colleagues in Israel and Palestine for a congressional delegation visit. But after Donald Trump felt the need to disparage mine and Ilhan’s name on Twitter, and urge Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to ban us from entering the country because of our willingness to speak out in support of Palestinian human rights, those travel plans came to an abrupt halt.
It’s very telling when a so-called democratic ally bans elected members of Congress from visiting because of our political views and values. It’s even more disturbing and completely unprecedented that our own president encouraged this undemocratic action. What is Netanyahu afraid that we will witness, that we will bring to light?
Not only am I heartbroken that I cannot meet the people of Israel and Palestine to witness their struggles firsthand, but I am heartbroken I can no longer visit my Palestinian grandmother, who just days ago was excited to decide which fig tree we’d pick from together.
The Israeli government ultimately decided they would let me visit, but under one condition: that I sign a letter restricting my freedom of speech in order to stop me from speaking out against the inhumane conditions Palestinians like my grandmother are forced to face by the Israeli military occupation. Conditions in which families’ homes are being bulldozed, children and young people are subject to terrifying interrogations at all hours, and villages often go without access to clean water. Under such military rule, they have no one to represent them.
No matter how badly I wish to see my grandmother, I know she would not want me to do so under such degrading circumstances that go against everything I believe in: fighting racism, oppression, and injustice.
It’s been a difficult few days, and I’ve shed many tears with my family as we went through this ordeal. But I want to be crystal clear: I am more committed than ever before to defending the rights and freedoms of the people of Palestine and people everywhere, and no political attacks from Trump, Netanyahu, or any other oppressive leader will change that or silence me.
If you are with me and my sister in service, Ilhan, as we continue to speak out against the inhumane treatment of people, from the southern border of the United States to the military rule of Palestine, pitch in a contribution of whatever you can to show the world that we are stronger than racism, Islamophobia, and all forms of hate that seek to divide and oppress us.
DONATE
Thank you for your support. With people like you fighting by our side, I am hopeful.
Rashida Tlaib
PAID FOR BY DEMOCRACY FOR AMERICA, DEMOCRACYFORAMERICA.COM AND NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE. CONTRIBUTIONS TO DEMOCRACY FOR AMERICA ARE NOT DEDUCTIBLE FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES.
This email was sent to peterbnyc@gmail.com. Click here to unsubscribe from receiving further emails.
Rashida Tlaib (via DFA)
12:42 PM (9 minutes ago)
to me
Peter, did you catch Rashida Tlaib's message last week after she and Ilhan Omar were banned from traveling to Israel and Palestine?
Rashida took a stand and refused to sacrifice her freedom to speak up for the oppressed. Read her message below and chip in whatever you can to stand with her and Ilhan now as they continue to fight for justice for all:
DONATE
Peter,
I knew when I ran for Congress that I would face obstacles as a Muslim, Palestinian-American woman. I’ve dealt with sexism, racism, and Islamophobia my entire life -- so I knew that would continue if I pursued a high-profile public office and won. What I didn’t anticipate was for that discrimination to come from the President of the United States.
As you may have heard, I was supposed to join my friend and fellow Representative Ilhan Omar along with other colleagues in Israel and Palestine for a congressional delegation visit. But after Donald Trump felt the need to disparage mine and Ilhan’s name on Twitter, and urge Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to ban us from entering the country because of our willingness to speak out in support of Palestinian human rights, those travel plans came to an abrupt halt.
It’s very telling when a so-called democratic ally bans elected members of Congress from visiting because of our political views and values. It’s even more disturbing and completely unprecedented that our own president encouraged this undemocratic action. What is Netanyahu afraid that we will witness, that we will bring to light?
Not only am I heartbroken that I cannot meet the people of Israel and Palestine to witness their struggles firsthand, but I am heartbroken I can no longer visit my Palestinian grandmother, who just days ago was excited to decide which fig tree we’d pick from together.
The Israeli government ultimately decided they would let me visit, but under one condition: that I sign a letter restricting my freedom of speech in order to stop me from speaking out against the inhumane conditions Palestinians like my grandmother are forced to face by the Israeli military occupation. Conditions in which families’ homes are being bulldozed, children and young people are subject to terrifying interrogations at all hours, and villages often go without access to clean water. Under such military rule, they have no one to represent them.
No matter how badly I wish to see my grandmother, I know she would not want me to do so under such degrading circumstances that go against everything I believe in: fighting racism, oppression, and injustice.
It’s been a difficult few days, and I’ve shed many tears with my family as we went through this ordeal. But I want to be crystal clear: I am more committed than ever before to defending the rights and freedoms of the people of Palestine and people everywhere, and no political attacks from Trump, Netanyahu, or any other oppressive leader will change that or silence me.
If you are with me and my sister in service, Ilhan, as we continue to speak out against the inhumane treatment of people, from the southern border of the United States to the military rule of Palestine, pitch in a contribution of whatever you can to show the world that we are stronger than racism, Islamophobia, and all forms of hate that seek to divide and oppress us.
DONATE
Thank you for your support. With people like you fighting by our side, I am hopeful.
Rashida Tlaib
PAID FOR BY DEMOCRACY FOR AMERICA, DEMOCRACYFORAMERICA.COM AND NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE. CONTRIBUTIONS TO DEMOCRACY FOR AMERICA ARE NOT DEDUCTIBLE FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES.
This email was sent to peterbnyc@gmail.com. Click here to unsubscribe from receiving further emails.
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