FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 13, 2019
CONTACT: Elliot Levy, [email protected], 202-800-7409

BEND THE ARC: GOP ATTACKS ON REP. TLAIB ARE CYNICAL, CRASS AND DEEPLY OFFENSIVE

New York – Following efforts by President Trump and Congressman Lee Zeldin, Congressional Republicans and other leading conservatives to smear Rep. Rashida Tlaib by misrepresenting her recent comments about the Holocaust, Stosh Cotler, CEO of Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, released the following statement:

“Once again, President Trump, Congressional Republicans and their allies are engaging in a cynical smear campaign against a member of Congress and progressive leader of color, this time Rep. Rashida Tlaib. GOP leadership should be ashamed of their efforts to stir up anti-Muslim sentiment by falsely claiming antisemitism where none exists, and calling on Jewish trauma to further a partisan attack. Many Jewish Americans see these reprehensible tactics for what they are: a crass and deeply offensive attempt to divide our communities that will not succeed.

“House Republicans like Lee Zeldin, Steve Scalise and Liz Cheney are all too happy to manufacture outrage about supposed antisemitism when it suits their political ends. But when Holocaust memorial ceremonies are disrupted by right-wing neo-Nazis and white supremacists, they and their party are silent. When their own colleagues like Rep. Steve King spew blatant white supremacist rhetoric, they offer half-hearted criticism at best. When the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the threat of the White Nationalist movement, their party called witnesses who openly mocked the premise that this violent movement presents a threat. And when the leader of their party openly advocates for the agenda of white nationalists who commit acts of violence against our communities, they proudly align themselves with these hateful policies.

“Antisemitism is not a game or a joke, and politicians who weaponize antisemitism for political gain must be denounced for treating it like one. We will respond to their cynicism and divisiveness as we always have: by re-dedicating ourselves to strengthening solidarity within our Jewish community and with our allies to ensure our collective safety, defeat white nationalism and advance a vision of a multi-racial democracy where all of us can live, love and thrive.”