Democratic Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib sparked controversy Monday and drew accusations of anti-Semitism after criticizing President-elect Joe Biden's appointment for secretary of state, Anthony Blinken.
After former Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders' campaign manager praised the appointment, calling Blinken a "solid choice," Tlaib took to Twitter and wrote: "So long as he doesn't suppress my First Amendment right to speak out against Netanyahu's racist and inhumane policies. The Palestinian people deserve equality and justice."
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Tlaib was accused of criticizing the choice of Blinken because he is Jewish. CNN reporter Jake Tapper tweeted: "Blinken and Biden are both on the record opposing efforts to punish/sanction BDS (though they also oppose BDS) so I'm not sure what it is about Blinken that would prompt this tweet."
So long as he doesn't suppress my First Amendment right to speak out against Netanyahu's racist and inhumane policies. The Palestinian people deserve equality and justice. https://t.co/SLhT3yYc4i
— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) November 23, 2020
Dov Hinkind, founder of the group Americans Against Antisemitism, tweeted, "Biden names a Jew to his cabinet … What's Rashida's response?! "Welp, as long as that Judische pick doesn't stop me from focusing my hatred on one country, Israel, then he's a good Jew! It's not your 1A [first amendment] right you're trying to protect but your vile Jew-hatred!"
Biden names a Jew to his cabinet
What's Rashida's response?! "Welp, as long as that Judische pick doesn't stop me from focusing my hatred on one country, Israel, then he's a good Jew!"
It's not your 1A right you're trying to protect but your vile Jew-hatred!
That's ALL yours! https://t.co/JegzY5ZCtm
— Dov Hikind (@HikindDov) November 23, 2020
The Republican Jewish Coalition posted a slightly tongue-in-cheek response, telling Tlaib she could "just say [she] was worried because Blinken is Jewish."
On Sunday, the Bloomberg news agency reported that Biden was slated to make the official announcement about Blinken's appointment on Tuesday.
You can just say you're worried because he's Jewish... https://t.co/TdZL8BwrhB
— RJC (@RJC) November 23, 2020
Blinken, 58, has held senior foreign policy positions in two administrations over 20 years.
In 2008, he was a member of the Obama-Biden presidential transition team. From 2009 to 2013 he served as deputy assistant to the president and national security advisor to the vice president.
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