US House of Representatives censures Rashida Tlaib over her criticism of Israel

In a speech to the US House of Representatives on Tuesday, Rashida Tlaib - confronted with the likelihood she would become the 26th Representative to be censured in House history - defended her criticism of the state of Israel and demanded a ceasefire in Gaza.

Despite her words, amongst which she asked her opponents "Why do the cries of Palestinian children sound differently to you?", the US House voted in favour of censuring the lone Palestinian-American lawmaker in Congress.

Twenty-two Democrats joined with most Republicans in the chamber to censure Tlaib for allegedly "promoting false narratives" on Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel. Four Republicans voted against the motion, while three Democrats and one Republican abstained.

The final vote tally was 234-188 in favour of censure. The motion, sponsored by Republican Representative Richard McCormick, specifically cited a video the Democrat Representative shared on her social media featuring the phrase "from the river to the sea," a chant for Palestinian liberation that is viewed by Zionists as antisemitic.

Tlaib has repeatedly condemned Hamas's assault, which killed some 1,400 people, while also criticising US support for Israel as the country's military retaliates with a relentless bombardment campaign that has, at the time of writing, killed 10,569 Palestinians, including 4,324 children. 26,475 other people were injured.

Produced by Alexander Durie