Representative Rashida Tlaib made it clear that she vehemently opposed Benjamin Netanyahu’s congressional address. On Wednesday, Tlaib, the only Palestinian American politician in Congress, held up a sign that read “War Criminal” and “Guilty of Genocide” as her colleagues applauded the Israeli prime minister.
Since the beginning of Israel’s war on Gaza, Tlaib has been the most outspoken member of Congress when it comes to the rights of Palestinians. Ahead of Netanyahu’s visit, and with the Palestinian death toll reaching at least 39,000 people, she released a statement condemning congressional leadership for inviting him.
“Netanyahu is a war criminal committing genocide against the Palestinian people,” she said. “It is utterly disgraceful that leaders from both parties have invited him to address Congress. He should be arrested and sent to the International Criminal Court.”
Tlaib’s fellow Squad member, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, boycotted Netanyahu’s address altogether. In a post on X, Ocasio-Cortez wrote, “It is a dark day in US history when an authoritarian with warrant requests from the International Criminal Court is allowed to address a joint session of Congress.”
Several other Democrats boycotted Netanyahu, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. “Speaker Pelosi will not be attending today’s Joint Meeting of Congress,” said Pelosi’s spokesperson, Ian Kraeger. “This morning, she will join a Members meeting with Israeli citizens whose families have suffered in the wake of the October 7 Hamas terror attack and kidnappings.” Pelosi later told Politico that it was “inappropriate” for Netanyahu to be invited.
Also boycotting Netanyahu were over 100 congressional interns, who wrote in a statement, “We urge our representatives to respond to the collective will of the American people and reject any semblance of endorsement for Netanyahu’s actions.”
In May, the International Criminal Court determined that parties on both sides of the conflict had committed war crimes, and requested arrest warrants for senior Hamas and Israeli officials, including Netanyahu. In his address to Congress, Netanyahu said that the ICC was “trying to shackle Israel’s hands and prevent us from defending ourselves.” He also called called accusations that Israel was committing a genocide against Palestinians “outrageous slanders.”
Netanyahu will meet with President Biden on Thursday, where the president will reportedly “take a tougher tone” with the prime minister in hopes to end the conflict.