Rashida Tlaib garners support as she condemns cartoonist for racist image of her with exploding pager

WASHINGTON, DC: Palestinian American Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib has found herself at the center of a heated debate after condemning a political cartoon that she says incites hatred against Arab and Muslim communities.

The cartoon, which depicts Tlaib next to an exploding pager, has sparked outrage for its offensive portrayal, particularly following recent events in Lebanon where a series of pager explosions has been linked to Israel.

Tlaib, known for her vocal stance on Palestinian rights, didn’t hold back as she criticized the cartoonist and the publication that ran it, calling out the dangerous implications of such imagery, as per The Guardian.

Rashida Tlaib condemns political cartoon referencing Lebanon's pager attacks

The controversial cartoon, published by National Review and created by Henry Payne, shows Rashida Tlaib standing next to an exploding pager, with her appearing to find it "odd."

This image has hit a particularly raw nerve as Lebanon recently experienced a wave of deadly pager explosions, an event for which the Lebanese government and Hezbollah blame Israel.

Tlaib, in a statement, argued that the cartoon not only perpetuates racism but also places the Arab and Muslim communities at further risk.

"It’s disgraceful that the media continues to normalize this racism against our communities," Tlaib said in her condemnation of the cartoon, highlighting how such portrayals contribute to a hostile environment for minorities.

"And it makes everyone less safe," she added.

Payne, the cartoonist behind the inflammatory drawing, works for The Detroit News, a prominent daily newspaper in Tlaib’s hometown.

The cartoon, titled 'Tlaib Pager Hamas', drew intense backlash not only for its portrayal of Tlaib but also for its perceived mockery of a tragic event in Lebanon, where dozens of people were killed, and thousands more were injured, including children.

The explosions, which involved pagers and walkie-talkies, have heightened tensions in the region.

Despite the Lebanese government and Hezbollah pointing fingers at Israel for the attacks, the Israeli government has neither confirmed nor denied involvement.

However, Israel’s defense minister later praised the Mossad, the country’s intelligence agency, for its "great achievements."

As one of the few Palestinian Americans in Congress, Tlaib has often been a target of vitriol, particularly over her strong advocacy for Palestinian rights and her criticism of Israeli policies.

In this case, the cartoon’s timing, paired with its overtly racist implications, seemed to have hit a nerve.

Rashida Tlaib's outcry about political cartoon echoed by many on social media

Rashida Tlaib’s outcry was echoed by many on social media, with users weighing in on the offensiveness of the cartoon.

One person remarked, "The cartoon defaming @RepRashida is disgusting, dangerous, and destructive."

Another said, "Blatant and ugly anti-Arab racism and Islamophobia on display here, targeting @RashidaTlaib. These kinds of cartoons aren’t new. They’ve been around for decades, vilifying racial and ethnic minorities. It must be called out and it must stop."

"Absolutely disgusting. Anti-Arab bigotry & Islamophobia have become normalized in our media. The National Review ran this dangerous cartoon of @RashidaTlaib. This garbage was created by Henry Payne with the @detroitnews. At what point will people call this out?," wrote one person.

Another added, "Detroit News ran this despicably racist cartoon this morning. Representative Tlaib has more courage and grace than the rest of Congress combined."

One individual wrote, "Disgusted by the vile and Islamophobic cartoon smearing Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, published by The Detroit News and National Review today. This hate is dangerous and risks provoking violence. We must all come together to condemn it."

Another pointed out, "I have major issues with @RashidaTlaib, but this cartoon from @NRO, days after their editor was caught uttering a racial slur in an interview, is stupid, bigoted, racist and unfunny.."

 

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