In a latest development in the ongoing controversy surrounding Rep. Rashida Tlaib's remarks on Israel, House Democrats are preparing to defend her against another attempt to censure her. The House is scheduled to vote on Tuesday on two resolutions introduced by Republican Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Rich McCormick, both from Georgia, seeking to formally reprimand Tlaib for her various comments about Israel.

Last week, a similar effort led by Greene to censure Tlaib failed when nearly two dozen Republicans, including McCormick, joined Democrats in voting to table the measure. However, Tlaib's recent defense of the slogan "from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" has sparked further backlash, even among some Democrats. This phrase is widely perceived by many Jewish people as a call for the destruction of Israel. Tlaib, on the other hand, argues that it symbolizes an aspiration for freedom, human rights, and peaceful coexistence.

Tlaib has also accused President Biden of supporting "the genocide of the Palestinian people" due to his backing of Israel during the recent conflict with Hamas in Gaza. In response, Tlaib's colleagues have accused her of distorting her positions and spreading obvious lies. Pete Aguilar, the chair of the House Democratic Caucus, expressed his strong disagreement with Tlaib's statement, calling it offensive. He added that Tlaib understood this sentiment from her conversations with her colleagues.

California Representative Ted Lieu, the vice chair of the caucus, condemned Tlaib as well, claiming that Hamas uses the same slogan to advocate for the killing of all Jews. He emphasized that the use of this phrase in the United States is highly inflammatory and instills fear among Jewish Americans, especially in his district, which has one of the highest populations of Jewish people outside of Israel. Lieu stressed the importance of understanding the impact of this phrase on Jewish Americans and reminded people that free speech also entails the right to criticize and condemn those who use such language.

Despite the condemnations from fellow Democrats, Aguilar stated that Democratic leadership has urged their members to vote in favor of tabling the resolutions and oppose the censure efforts, citing the imminent threat of a government shutdown.

In response to the censure resolutions introduced by Greene and McCormick, Tlaib's behavior has been described as "entirely unbecoming" of a member of the House. The push to hold Tlaib accountable for her alleged anti-Semitic remarks continues to stir controversy and division within Congress. The outcome of the upcoming vote on the resolutions remains uncertain, but it is clear that Tlaib's comments have ignited a heated debate about the boundaries of free speech and the impact of inflammatory rhetoric on marginalized communities.