JTA — a debate that has permeated for years, and now members of Congress are making it clear: Which is better for the “progressive” portmanteau of supporting or opposing Israel? do you
Michigan Democratic Rep. Rashida Talaib, a Palestinian-American and the only congressman who opposes calling Israel a self-described Jewish state, said Tuesday that she is against Israel’s “apartheid” government.
“I want you all to know that it has become clear that among progressives you cannot claim to hold progressive values, but you cannot support the apartheid government of Israel. In an online forum organized by American Muslims for Palestine.
“Progressive except for Palestine” is a criticism that pro-Palestinian progressives are targeting pro-Israeli progressives, and in recent years there has been a rise in support for Palestinians and criticism of Israel among progressives. has increased, but a significant number of parliamentarians remain aligned with the mainstream pro-Israel community.
Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt posted a video of Tlaib’s speech and tweeted: [Tlaib] At the same time, it is telling American Jews that they need to pass the anti-Zionist litmus test to join the progressive space while doubling down on anti-Semitism by denigrating Israel as an apartheid state. “
Tlaib is a member of the Congressional Progressive Party Caucus, and at least two of her fellow members said her challenge was offensive.
“I fundamentally reject the idea that Israel cannot stand up for its right to exist as a Jewish democracy and be progressive,” said Jewish New York Democrat Jerry Nadler. rice field.
Rep. Jerrold Nadler, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, speaks as House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Jerrold Nadler speaks as the House debates articles of impeachment against U.S. President Donald Trump at the Capitol on December 18, 2019 in Washington, DC. (House Television AP)
Richie Torres, also of New York, who is gay and admires the protection of LGBTQ rights in Israel, took aim at some of Talib’s other stances.
“Claiming for the end of Israel as a Jewish state is not progressive,” he said. “It is not progressive to oppose the Abraham Accords, which promote peace. It is not progressive to oppose the Iron Dome, which protects civilians from indiscriminate rocket attacks.”
Many other caucus members participated in the online forum, including Marie Newman of Illinois, Andre Carson of Indiana, and Judy Chu of California.
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida also commented. Although he does not participate in the Progressive caucuses, he is one of the leading Jewish Democrats in Congress.
“By exorbitant progressive litmus test against Israel [Tlaib] It’s nothing but anti-Semitism,” Wasserman Schultz said. “Proud progressives support the right of Israel to exist as a Jewish democracy. It is shameful and dangerous to suggest otherwise. Divisive rhetoric does not lead to peace. “
Rep. Ted Ducci, another Jewish Florida Democrat who will step down as chairman of the American Jewish Committee, said support for Israel is itself a progressive value.
“We have progressive activists, progressive students, progressive members of parliament, and supporting a democratic Israel is basically part of their progressive values,” he said. “They all belong at the table. We will not be silent.”
Jared Moskowitz, the Jewish Democratic candidate to replace Deutch, flipped Talib’s words to criticize her.
“I want everyone to know that among #progressives it becomes clear that if you are an anti-Semite you cannot claim to hold progressive values,” he said.
