Resolution Condemning Antisemitic Phrase Passes Congress

(AP)

A resolution condemning the slogan “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” as antisemitic overwhelmingly passed the House on Tuesday, The Hill reported.

The resolution, sponsored by Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, R-N.Y., passed 337-44-1. All but one Republican, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, voted in favor of the bill, while Democrats voted in favor, 162-43, with Rep. Madeleine Dean of Pennsylvania voting present.

Many view the Palestinian rallying cry as calling for the destruction of Israel.

“These antisemitic activists want nothing more than the destruction of Israel and the Jewish people inside it,” D’Esposito said. “Forty-four of my colleagues should be ashamed for promoting hate.”

The resolution comes five months after Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., the only Palestinian American in Congress, was censured after she failed to condemn Hamas after the Oct. 7 attack on Israel and was seen chanting the slogan. Tlaib has been critical of the Israeli government.

Tlaib, who voted against the resolution, said the slogan is an aspirational call for freedom, human rights, and peaceful coexistence, not death, destruction, or hate. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and the White House have criticized Tlaib for using the slogan.

The Michigan representative said these bills are meant to distract from the “genocide” in Gaza.

“We are seeing the same ‘messaging’ bills on the floor every single week,” Tlaib posted on X. “I am not voting for any of these bills while the genocide of the Palestinians continues.”

Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., said in a speech on the floor that he believed Republicans were attempting to divide House Democrats. He said he voted for the resolution because he felt like he had to because he believes it is antisemitic.

“In this institution you have to do what you think is the best thing to do, the right thing to do; that’s why I support this resolution and encourage colleagues to join in doing the same,” said Meeks, the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. “If you consider the geographic area of the Jordan River and Mediterranean Sea to be exclusively Palestine, you are taking the Jewish state of Israel off the map.”

Dean has previously said the phrase “has no place in discussing long-term peace for Israel and Palestine.”

“But Republicans prefer games over bills to support our allies & humanitarian aid,” she posted on X. “We must be purposeful with our words — and also with our time.”