Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib rebuke State Dept for waffling over Palestinian self defense
Washington (QNN)- U.S. Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan have rebuked the State Department for dodging questions about Palestinians’ right to self defense.
During a press conference, the State Department spokesperson Ned Price appeared to dodge when asked by reporters whether the principle of self defense applied to Palestinians after he accused Hamas movement of “unacceptable escalation.”
“This is a very fluid situation, I would hesitate to comment on operations beyond the rocket fire that is clearly targeting innocent civilians in Israel,” he said, “but the broader principle of self defense is something that we stand by.”
Price added, “Broadly speaking, we believed in the concept of self defense, we believe it applies to any state.”
Tlaib and Omar called out the department in a series of tweets and retweets on Monday night.
“This unsurprising response is devoid of empathy and concern for human suffering. He can’t even condemn the killing of children,” Omar tweeted, alongside a video of Price’s press conference.
This unsurprising response is devoid of empathy and concern for human suffering.
He can’t even condemn the killing of children. https://t.co/eQjysy2VCP
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) May 10, 2021
In another tweet, Ilhan expressed solidarity with the people of Gaza, saying what Israel is doing in Gaza of killing civilians is an “act of terrorism.”
She said, “Palestinians deserve protection. Unlike Israel, missile defense programs, such as Iron Dome, don’t exist to protect Palestinian civilians. It’s unconscionable to not condemn these attacks on the week of Eid.”
Israeli air strikes killing civilians in Gaza is an act of terrorism.
Palestinians deserve protection.
Unlike Israel, missile defense programs, such as Iron Dome, don’t exist to protect Palestinian civilians.
It’s unconscionable to not condemn these attacks on the week of Eid. https://t.co/vWWQfMqBkT
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) May 10, 2021
She added in a different tweet, “Many will tell you Israel has a right to defend itself, to safety and security, but are silent on whether Palestinians have those rights too.”
She continued, “Until we can defend the rights of Palestinians just as we do Israelis, we have no leg to stand on when it comes to justice or peace.”
Many will tell you Israel has a right to defend itself, to safety and security, but are silent on whether Palestinians have those rights too.
Until we can defend the rights of Palestinians just as we do Israelis, we have no leg to stand on when it comes to justice or peace.
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) May 10, 2021
Congresswoman Tlaib, the first Palestinian Progressive Democrat and was born in Detroit to Palestinian immigrant parents, also slammed the US State Department.
“Is @StateDeptSpox really refusing to condemn the killing of Palestinian children?” she tweeted.
Is @StateDeptSpox really refusing to condemn the killing of Palestinian children? https://t.co/h3tXqaxqXp
— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) May 10, 2021
In a series of tweets, Rashida expressed her support to the Palestinians, calling on the Congress to condition the aid which is sent to Israel.
“American taxpayer money is being used to commit human rights violations. Congress must condition the aid we send to Israel, and end it altogether if those conditions are not followed. Statements aren’t working @SecBlinken. Enough is enough,” she said.
In another tweet, Tlaib said, “I see some who were silent as Palestinians were ripped from their homes and tear gassed in their holiest mosques now finding their voices – to stand with the Israeli gov as airstrikes leave Palestinian children dead. Where are your voices when Palestinians are under threat?”
American taxpayer money is being used to commit human rights violations. Congress must condition the aid we send to Israel, and end it altogether if those conditions are not followed. Statements aren't working @SecBlinken.
Enough is enough.
— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) May 10, 2021
I see some who were silent as Palestinians were ripped from their homes and tear gassed in their holiest mosques now finding their voices – to stand with the Israeli gov as airstrikes leave Palestinian children dead. Where are your voices when Palestinians are under threat?
— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) May 11, 2021
Israel’ had announced on Monday the launch of a new operation on the Gaza Strip following rockets fired by the Palestinian resistance groups in protest against the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque and attacking the Jerusalemites.
Since Monday evening, 24 civilians have been killed in several Israeli airstrikes on the besieged Gaza Strip, including a disabled man, a woman, and 9 children, and injured more than 103, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
