Congress Passes Resolution Condemning Antisemitic Language

An overwhelming majority of the House passed a resolution condemning the slogan “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” as antisemitic on Tuesday, as reported by The Hill.

Sponsored by Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, R-N.Y., the resolution passed with a vote of 337-44-1. Nearly all Republicans, except Thomas Massie of Kentucky, supported the bill, while Democrats voted in favor, 162-43, with Rep. Madeleine Dean of Pennsylvania voting present.

Many consider the Palestinian rallying cry as a call for the destruction of Israel.

“These antisemitic activists desire the annihilation of Israel and the Jewish people within it,” said D’Esposito. “Forty-four of my colleagues should be ashamed for fostering hate.”

The resolution follows the censure of Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., the only Palestinian American in Congress, after she did not condemn Hamas following the Oct. 7 attack on Israel and was seen chanting the slogan. Tlaib has expressed criticism of the Israeli government.

Tlaib, who voted against the resolution, defended the slogan as a 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 rebuked Tlaib for using the slogan.

Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., explained in his floor speech that he believes Republicans were trying to create division among House Democrats. He stated his support for the resolution because he views it as antisemitic.

“If you believe the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea is exclusively Palestine, you are erasing the Jewish state of Israel,” Meeks emphasized.

Dean has previously stated that the phrase “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” should not be part of discussions about long-term peace for Israel and Palestine.