Rashida Tlaib rails against CNN for headline that ‘feeds into the hate mongering’

Tlaib’s criticism was in response to a CNN article titled: “Rashida Tlaib stands by Israel and Holocaust comments amid criticism.” The congresswoman, who is the first Palestinian American woman in Congress, has faced fierce backlash for an interview she gave to Yahoo News’ “Skullduggery” podcast.

“There’s always kind of a calming feeling I tell folks when I think of the Holocaust, and the tragedy of the Holocaust, and the fact that it was my ancestors — Palestinians — who lost their land and some lost their lives, their livelihood, their human dignity, their existence in many ways, have been wiped out, and some people’s passports,” Tlaib said.

“And just all of it was in the name of trying to create a safe haven for Jews, post-the Holocaust, post-the tragedy, and the horrific persecution of Jews across the world at that time. And I love the fact that it was my ancestors that provided that, right, in many ways. But they did it in a way that took their human dignity away, and it was forced on them,” Tlaib added.

Critics argue her remarks were anti-Semitic.

“@RashidaTlaib, your words are both grossly #antiSemitic and ignorant. You should take some time to learn the history before trying to rewrite it,” Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon said Monday.

“Democrat Rep. Tlaib is being slammed for her horrible and highly insensitive statement on the Holocaust. She obviously has tremendous hatred of Israel and the Jewish people. Can you imagine what would happen if I ever said what she said, and says?” President Trump tweeted.

Tlaib responded to criticisms saying people were “twisting & turning” her words.

“Policing my words, twisting & turning them to ignite vile attacks on me will not work. All of you who are trying to silence me will fail miserably. I will never allow you to take my words out of context to push your racist and hateful agenda. The truth will always win,” Tlaib said.

Tlaib has been criticized before for statements some have said were engaging in the dual-loyalty trope against Jewish Americans.