Dozens of Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s Jewish constituents rallied in Detroit Friday evening during Shabbat to show solidarity with their congresswoman as she faces attacks from President Donald Trump over her refusal to visit Israel under the Netanyahu government’s restrictive conditions.
Beth Miller, government affairs manager for Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) Action, which organized the event, applauded Tlaib’s courage and said it is “heartbreaking that Rashida had to spend this evening with us instead of her beloved family.”
“And it’s enraging that the Israeli government would hold a member of Congress’s family hostage unless she agrees to censor herself,” said Miller. “For as long as it’s existed, the Israeli government has forced these kinds of heart wrenching and impossible choices on Palestinians. It’s time for all of us to insist our elected officials hold Israel accountable.”
Tlaib, who attended the rally Friday night, fought back tears as she thanked her constituents for their support.
“I can’t wait to show my grandmother how I was supported by all of you—it would bring her so much joy,” said Tlaib, the first Palestinian-American woman ever elected to Congress. “Thank you for hearing me, thank you for seeing me, thank you for loving me. And thank you for allowing me to be not just your congresswoman, but also a granddaughter of a grandmother living under occupation.”
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