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Edited by: TJVNews.com
A cartoon recently published by National Review has ignited a fierce debate, with Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) and her supporters alleging that it perpetuates anti-Muslim bias. At the same time, critics argue that it shines a light on Tlaib’s history of sympathetic associations with Islamist terrorism. As The Jewish News Syndicate (JNS) reported, the cartoon was drawn by Henry Payne and depicted Tlaib sitting at a desk with a smoking pager, referencing a recent explosion of Hezbollah communication devices in Lebanon and Syria. The caption read: “Odd, my pager just exploded.”
The cartoon alludes to the events of Sept. 17, when thousands of pagers used by Hezbollah operatives exploded, killing at least a dozen people and wounding thousands more in what Hezbollah claimed was an Israeli attack. As JNS noted, the cartoon triggered accusations of racism and bias from Tlaib, who argued that it would “incite more hate and violence against Arab and Muslim communities,” according to her post on X (formerly Twitter).
However, critics of Tlaib, particularly from conservative circles, contend that her own record demonstrates sympathy for extremist ideologies, including Islamist terrorism. As JNS highlighted, Tlaib has a controversial history of appearing alongside individuals and groups that support terrorism. In 2019, she posed with Abbas Hamideh, a Hezbollah apologist and advocate for the destruction of Israel, at her swearing-in ceremony in Detroit. Moreover, earlier this year, Tlaib spoke at the People’s Conference for Palestine, an event that also featured Wisam Rafeedie, a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a group designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. government.
Tlaib’s political stances have also drawn criticism for their alignment with groups hostile to Israel. As JNS reported, Tlaib is a vocal opponent of a two-state solution, favoring instead a one-state model that critics interpret as a call for the dismantling of the Jewish state. Tlaib’s support for the slogan “From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free” is widely understood as an endorsement of ethnically cleansing Jews from the Land of Israel. This slogan, used by groups like Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist factions, has been repeatedly condemned by Israel’s supporters as a call to erase Jewish self-governance in the region.
The controversy surrounding the cartoon underscores a broader tension between far-left Democrats like Tlaib and conservative critics, particularly on issues related to Israel and terrorism. JNS pointed out that this incident highlights the growing divide within the Democratic Party on Israel, as some members embrace increasingly anti-Israel rhetoric that, in the eyes of critics, borders on support for terrorism. Tlaib’s critics argue that her actions and statements have crossed the line from political opposition to Israel into outright endorsement of extremist and terrorist ideologies.
The backlash to the cartoon also raises important questions about free speech, accountability, and the limits of political criticism. Tlaib and her supporters argue that the cartoon fosters harmful stereotypes about Arabs and Muslims, but JNS emphasized that many view it as a legitimate critique of her record and associations with individuals connected to terrorism. This controversy, like many surrounding Tlaib, touches on sensitive issues of race, religion, and national security, reflecting the broader ideological battles over Israel and the Middle East playing out in American politics.
Tlaib, a Palestinian American and a frequent critic of Israel, was censured by Congress in November 2022 for what many viewed as her calls for the destruction of the Jewish state, particularly through her use of the slogan “From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free.” This slogan, widely interpreted as a call for the elimination of Israel, has placed her at the center of controversy. According to JNS, Tlaib has used this phrase in connection with her opposition to Israel’s right to exist, prompting a congressional rebuke for promoting rhetoric that some argue calls for the ethnic cleansing of Jews from the region.
Tlaib’s supporters have rushed to her defense, condemning the cartoon as an example of normalized bigotry. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), a fellow progressive, took to X (formerly Twitter) to express her outrage, writing, “The way Islamophobia and anti-Arab hatred is so deeply normalized and accepted in our politics is horrifying,” as quoted by JNS. Dearborn, Michigan’s mayor, Abdullah H. Hammoud, whose city has a large Muslim population, also condemned the cartoon, calling it “Absolutely disgusting” and a manifestation of “Anti-Arab bigotry & Islamophobia.”
However, not everyone sees the issue through the same lens. Marina Medvin, a conservative columnist and jurist, highlighted what she viewed as hypocrisy in the outrage surrounding the cartoon. As reported by JNS, Medvin pointed out that the Islamic Center of America in Dearborn had hosted a vigil for Hezbollah operatives who were killed in the Sept. 17 pager explosions. “You won’t believe this — or maybe you will: Rashida Tlaib’s Dearborn Michigan crowd is hosting a vigil for Hezbollah pager patrons,” Medvin posted on X, suggesting that Tlaib’s base of support includes sympathizers with groups that the U.S. government has designated as terrorist organizations.
The controversy has even caused some progressive figures to distance themselves from Tlaib and her allies. Brianna Wu, executive director of the progressive organization Rebellion PAC, expressed disappointment with Tlaib and Ocasio-Cortez over their failure to adequately condemn anti-Israel terrorism. As JNS noted, Wu took to social media to criticize both lawmakers, writing, “I used to deeply respect Rashida Tlaib, who I thought was one of the most pragmatic leaders in the progressive movement. She’s proven herself to just be a flat-out anti-Semite.” Wu’s comments reflect growing frustration among some progressives who are uncomfortable with what they see as an increasing tolerance for extremist rhetoric within their ranks.
Cartoonist Henry Payne, the creator of the controversial piece, defended his work, stating that it is part of a broader series that critiques Tlaib’s “lack of congressional leadership in failing to support Israel’s battle for survival.” Payne, quoted by JNS, emphasized that his cartoons aim to highlight the existential threats facing Israel from Iran and its proxies, including Hamas and Hezbollah. He argued that Tlaib’s stance on these issues reflects a broader unwillingness to recognize the danger posed to Jews by groups backed by Iran, which has long called for Israel’s destruction.
Despite the backlash, National Review has resisted calls to remove the cartoon. The magazine has stood by Payne’s work, asserting that it is a legitimate form of political commentary. According to JNS, this decision has further inflamed tensions between Tlaib’s supporters and critics, with some accusing the publication of promoting hate while others view it as an important critique of a public figure whose views on Israel and terrorism have long been controversial.
The debate surrounding the cartoon reflects broader divisions in U.S. politics, particularly regarding Middle Eastern policy and the role of lawmakers like Tlaib in shaping discourse on Israel. While Tlaib and her allies argue that they are advocating for Palestinian rights and opposing Israeli policies, their critics, as detailed by JNS, argue that their rhetoric too often aligns with groups and movements that seek Israel’s destruction rather than peaceful coexistence. This controversy, much like the broader political landscape, shows no signs of abating, as both sides continue to clash over the future of U.S.-Israel relations and the fight against terrorism.
