Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) sparked debate this Thanksgiving by linking the holiday to Palestinian solidarity. In an Instagram post attributed to a pro-Palestinian group, Tlaib expressed mourning for Indigenous people displaced by European settlers and the United States, extending solidarity to Palestinians "fighting for freedom on their own land." This statement follows a series of criticisms directed at Israel by the congresswoman.
Tlaib, a Palestinian-American Muslim, has a history of censuring the Israeli government. In November 2023, the House of Representatives formally rebuked her for anti-Israel remarks made following the October 7th terrorist attacks. More recently, she labeled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a "genocidal maniac," accusing him of atrocities against Palestinians.
Image: Rep. Rashida Tlaib at a protest against Israeli attacks on Gaza at the University of Michigan.
Image: Rep. Rashida Tlaib speaking in Washington D.C.
Image: Rep. Rashida Tlaib at a House Natural Resources Committee hearing.
Tlaib has also been a vocal critic of the Biden-Harris administration's approach to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Leading up to the 2024 election, she refrained from endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris, instead encouraging Michigan voters to participate without specifically mentioning Harris. In a separate social media post, she expressed gratitude for her constituents and acknowledged the Indigenous communities of the land she represents.
Other progressive voices have also invoked Thanksgiving to call attention to immigration, prompting reflection on the contributions of undocumented immigrants. One widely shared image depicted a pilgrim receiving food from a Native American, highlighting the historical context of immigration in the United States.
