'Guilty of genocide': Rashida Tlaib holds 'war criminal' sign during Benjamin Netanyahu's Congress speech

WASHINGTON, DC: Democratic Representative Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian-American congresswoman, made headlines by holding up a Black sign during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to Congress.

The sign had “war criminal” written on one side and “Guilty of genocide” on the other. Tlaib remained seated throughout the nearly hour-long speech.

Thom Tillis slams Rashida Tlaib for displaying sign during Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to Congress

Rashida Tlaib continued to display the sign until a staffer approached her twice.

Republican Representation Lloyd Anna Paulina Luna, a hard-right congresswoman, then sat next to Tlaib and had a brief interaction with her, CNN noted.

Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) sharply criticized Tlaib for her actions. “Rashida Tlaib continues to be an absolute disgrace,” Thor Tillis posted on X.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, during his address to Congress, called accusations that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza “outrageous slanders.”

He stated, “The outrageous slanders that paint Israel as racist and genocidal are meant to delegitimize Israel, to demonize the Jewish state, and to demonize Jews everywhere.”

Netanyahu compared these accusations to historical anti-Semitic lies that led to the Holocaust.

Netanyahu also labeled the protestorss gathered outside near the Capitol as “Iran’s useful idiots” during his speech.  He claimed that they “stand with Hamas” and “stand with rapists and murderers.”

Benjamin Netanyahu denies genocide and starvation accusations

Addressing allegations from the International Criminal Court that Israel is starving Palestinians in Gaza, Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed them as “utter, complete nonsense” and “a complete fabrication.”

He asserted, “if there are Palestinians in Gaza who are not getting enough food, it is not Israel blocking it, it is because Hamas is stealing it.”

Benjamin Netanyahu argued that the ICC is attempting to “shackle Israel's hands and prevent us from defending ourselves.”

He warned, “And if Israel’s hands are tied, America is next,” claiming that such actions would threaten the “ability of all democracies to fight terrorism.”

He also said, “Let me assure you, the hands of the Jewish state will never be shackled. Israel will always defend itself,” prompting applause and cheers from the crowd.

Internet reacts to Rashida Tlaib's protest

The reactions on social media varried sharply. Some users praised Tlaib while others expressed she should be expelled. 

One user wrote, “Classy,” while another posted, “Icon.”

One comment read, “God she is the best.” Another user expressed, “For once I agree with Tlaib."

One more argued, “She needs to be expelled from Congress.”

One user wrote, “She’s absolutely correct,” while another urged about the sign, “Raise it higher.”  One userd stated, “She is a disgrace.”

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online