Palestinian lawmaker condemns racist cartoon art

By TMO Staff

United States lawmaker Rashida Tlaib is condemning a racist cartoon depicting her with an exploding pager published in a conservative magazine. The cartoon was referencing this week’s attack in Lebanon against Hezbollah. Tlaib is the only Palestinian lawmaker who represents Michigan in the U.S. Congress.

The cartoon art was portrayed in National Review, a publication that has existed for far-right individuals ever since the 1950s. The publication accepts opinion, editorial and commentary pieces that anyone can submit. The cartoon was published last Thursday depicting Tlaib sitting near an exploding pager with Tlaib depicted saying ‘ODD MY PAGER JUST EXPLODED.’

Several pagers exploded in Lebanon last Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. The next day following the event several hand-held radios also erupted. The attacks killed several civilians and wounded many others in the region impacted by the explosion.

The attack was allegedly done by Israel, according to local security authorities in the region.
The Israeli military has killed over 40,0000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and injured several other citizens in the region ever since the Israel-Hamas conflict began.

Tlaib has continued to show her solidarity with Palestine. She has continued to be a harsh critic of Israel and its treatment of Palestinians. The ongoing war ever since Oct. 7, 2023, has stirred controversy among several people and their viewpoints on the situation.

The racist cartoon was submitted by Henry Payne, associated with the Detroit News. The Detroit News publicly distanced itself from the artwork in a statement to media outlets confirming that it did not choose to publish the work in its publication.

Tlaib responded to the cartoon artwork on social media citing division and racism with her being at the forefront.

“Our community is already in so much pain right now. This racism will incite more hate + violence against our Arab & Muslim communities,” Tlaib said on Twitter. “And it makes everyone less safe. It’s disgraceful that the media continues to normalize this racism.”

Several other organizations have said the artwork overstepped the local leader’s professionalism and called the artwork Islamophobic. It has sparked major backlash from Engage Action, a nonpartisan advocacy group helping Muslims in politics, and helping Muslim citizens with voting.

The group took to their Instagram platform to write their views regarding the cartoon artwork.

“Language like this fuels hate, leading to an increase in violence and hate crimes, which we’re already witnessing across the country. It’s beyond offensive to joke about this and we demand a public apology,” wrote Emgage Action on Instagram.

Lawmakers and local Michigan leaders condemn the cartoon artwork. Some of the leaders stated it could sanction violence against a sitting U.S. Congresswoman and attacks Tlaib’s professionalism. Many individuals also noted Tlaib’s background as a Palestinian-American, and called the artwork “anti-Arab.”

“Pay attention to who condemns this,” said Democrat State Representative Abraham Aiyash, who is the Michigan House Floor leader. “And then recognize the different standards Arab and Muslim politicians are held by. When I was doxed by the far right and had threats made against me and my family, party leaders told me ‘I shouldn’t have said’ things to ‘stoke anger’ ( I was calling out the racist attempt to not certify the election in Detroit). This normalization of hate will induce violence against Rashida, but somehow that’s not worthy of fierce condemnation.”

Tlaib has continued to fight for a ceasefire in Palestine. When Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the United States and spoke to Congress she held a sign that read ‘war criminal’ during his entire speech.

She has been criticized by several individuals as being a Palestinian-American and staying firm on her personal views of the war happening overseas.