Rashida Tlaib: “I am the only Palestinian American serving in Congress. My perspective is needed here now more than ever. I will not be…”

“I am the only Palestinian American serving in Congress. My perspective is needed here now more than ever. I will not be silenced, and I will not let you distort my words. Folks forget I am from the city of Detroit, the most beautiful, Blackest city in the country, where I learned to speak truth to power, even if my voice shakes. Trying to bully or censure me won't work because this movement for a cease-fire is much bigger than one person. It is growing every single day. There are millions of people across our country who oppose Netanyahu's extremism and are done watching our government support collective punishment and the use of white phosphorus bombs that melt flesh to the bone. They are done watching our government, Mr. Speaker, supporting cutting off food, water, electricity, and medical care to millions of people with nowhere to go. Like me, Mr. Speaker, they don't believe the answer to war crimes is more war crimes. The refusal of Congress and the administration to acknowledge Palestinian lives is chipping away at my soul. Over 10,000 Palestinians have been killed. The majority were children. Let me be clear: My criticism has always been of the Israeli Government and Netanyahu's actions. It is important to separate people and governments, Mr. Speaker. No government is beyond criticism.…”