Activists Reject US Resolution Accusing Muslim Congresswomen of Anti-Semitism

USCPR Executive Director Yousef Munayyer spoke with Middle East Eye about recent Islamophobic and sexist attacks on Congresswomen Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib.

Asked about the proposed resolution, Yousef Munayyer, the executive director of the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights, said accusing Omar and Tlaib of anti-Semitism amounts to anti-Muslim bigotry.

“This resolution is an Islamophobic and attack against two outspoken women of colour who are shaking things up by boldly standing for crucial issues,” Munayyer told MEE in an email.

He said advocacy for Palestinian right is part of “progressive politics of justice for all”, dismissing the effort to conflate criticism of Israeli policies with anti-Semitism.

“It is no coincidence that both of these targeted lawmakers are Muslim women of colour,” Munayyer said. “It is the people who exist at the intersections of multiple vulnerable identities in our society that are usually seen as easy targets by adversaries looking to piggy-back on the prevalence of bigotry in society to achieve their political ends.”

Munayyer likened the attacks against the congresswomen to Israeli politicians’ efforts to suppress the voices of Palestinian members of the Israeli parliament, the Knesset.