Democrat Attack Ad Against Rashida Tlaib Sparks Fury: 'Dangerous'

A pro-Israel Democratic group has sparked outrage after airing attack ads against Democratic Representative Rashida Tlaib in her home state of Michigan, prompting calls for the messages to be taken down.

Tlaib, the only Palestinian American in Congress, has been under intense scrutiny since Hamas' unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7. While the Michigan Democrat mourned the loss of life on both the Israeli and the Palestinian sides, her calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and her continued criticism of Israel's treatment of Palestinians have led to criticism from Republican lawmakers and even her fellow party members.

In the latest of such attacks against Tlaib, Democratic Majority For Israel, an advocacy group supporting pro-Israel policies within the Democratic Party, released an ad criticizing the Michigan congresswoman.

The six-figure TV ad, which began airing on Thursday in Tlaib's district in Detroit, points at Tlaib's votes against funding for Israel's Iron Dome missile protection system and against a resolution to condemn Hamas' attack on October 7.

"She's one of only 7 Democrats in Congress to vote against missile protection for Israel. One of only nine Democrats against condemning the brutal attack on Israel by Hamas," said the narrating voice in the ad. "Her legislation will allow the terrorists to re-arm themselves. And she refuses to answer this horrific question [reporter asking: 'You can't comment about Hamas terrorists chopping off babies' heads? Tell Rashida Tlaib she's on the wrong side of history and humanity.]"

The ad has been shared online by Josh Kraushaar, editor at Jewish Insider, who wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: "Democratic Majority For Israel goes up with 6-figure ad buy in Detroit against Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) over her hostility against Israel. Ad is titled: 'History and Humanity'."

Tlaib is one of 18 House Democrats who have co-sponsored a resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.

The Michigan Democrat previously said she did not vote for funding Israel's Iron Dome because the country's military had "no conditions on upholding human rights." She said she refused to sign the resolution to condemn Hamas' attack "because it is a deeply incomplete and biased account of what is happening in Israel and Palestine, and what has been happening for decades."

But the ad has drawn criticism from many accusing the group of fuelling division between supporters of Israel and of Palestinians.

"This ad campaign targeting Rashida Tlaib is dangerous. It should be condemned by Democrats and taken down now," wrote the If Not Now movement, an organization formed by American Jews calling for an end of U.S. support, on X.

"@DemMaj4Israel & @AIPAC use Republican donor money to pit Jewish Democrats against Muslim Democrats. We won't let them tear our communities apart with fear-mongering," the group added.

"This racist & Islamophobic ad also ignores that Rep. Tlaib has repeatedly condemned attacks on Israeli civilians," the group added in a later post. "Instead, DMFI is falsely smearing the only Palestinian American member of Congress as a terrorist sympathizer — reinforcing bigotry towards Muslim Americans."

Others criticized the ad for fueling hate between Jewish and Muslim Americans.

"As hate crimes rise against Muslim Americans, this Islamophobic ad puts Rashida Tlaib's life increasingly in danger," wrote Waleed Shahid, spokesperson and communications director for Justice Democrats, a grassroots progressive organization, on X.

"It should be condemned by every Democratic elected official and taken down. Democrats continue to alienate Muslims, young people, and liberal voters with jingoistic, pro-war rhetoric like this."

According to data compiled by Medium Buying, Democratic Majority for Israel bought just over $100,000 in advertising on broadcast stations, CNN, MSNBC and CNBC in the Detroit market.

Earlier this week, the House voted against a resolution to censure Tlaib brought forward by Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia.

Newsweek contacted Tlaib's office for comment by email on Friday.

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