On Thursday night, shocking reports emerged from Amsterdam, where Israelis visiting to attend a soccer match became targets in a violent, organized attack. Middle Eastern migrants in the area allegedly sought out and attacked Israelis and Jews, leading Israeli officials to intervene and assist in evacuating their citizens from an environment that had quickly turned hostile. The incident highlights an alarming trend of antisemitic aggression that has surfaced with increasing frequency in Europe.
Meanwhile, back in the United States, Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) drew criticism for a social media post targeting Israel. At nearly the same time as the Amsterdam violence was unfolding, Tlaib reposted a UNICEF message accusing Israel of “war crimes.” Her timing, as well as her decision to amplify an anti-Israel message in that moment, raised eyebrows. Tlaib’s post came from a two-day-old UNICEF post, yet she chose to share it during the breaking news of Israeli civilians being attacked abroad.
If we needed any reminder of why Israel must exist. https://t.co/lBZE9KFaFM
— Philip Klein (@philipaklein) November 8, 2024
Many online users responded critically, pointing out that Tlaib’s social media history is marked by anti-Israel and controversial pro-Palestinian statements, including her defense of the phrase “from the river to the sea.” Just one year ago, Tlaib was censured by the House on a bipartisan basis for similar statements, underscoring her often polarizing role within Congress.
As other members of “The Squad” focused on their own re-election results or Kamala Harris’s loss, Tlaib’s remarks starkly contrasted with statements from fellow Democrats, some of whom immediately condemned the Amsterdam violence.
These are war crimes our country is funding right now. https://t.co/FCJxbMREPG
— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) November 8, 2024
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), a strong pro-Israel voice within the Democratic Party, publicly acknowledged the attack on Israelis, drawing praise and calls from other lawmakers to pass stalled legislation on antisemitism. Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) used Schumer’s post to promote his Anti-Semitism Awareness Act, which had passed in the House with bipartisan support but remains stalled in the Senate.
Some pro-Israel Democrats, including Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) and Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), weighed in, offering a stark contrast to Tlaib’s tone. Torres went so far as to criticize mainstream media outlets for downplaying or mischaracterizing the attack, arguing that the narrative around antisemitic violence needs to be addressed and more directly condemned.
The hysterical and hyperbolic demonization of Israel has led to a global outbreak of antisemitic vitriol, vandalism, and violence. The single most monstrous manifestation of antisemitism is a pogrom that is presently unfolding against hundreds of Jews who were cheering on the… pic.twitter.com/xpwcMGZgf8
— Ritchie Torres (@RitchieTorres) November 8, 2024
