Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s Cancelled Israel Trip Sparks Questions On Diplomacy, Bigotry

U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib is not going to Israel after a tumultuous back-and-forth with the country’s leadership — and President Trump. An Oakland University political science professor joins Detroit Today to discuss.

Jake Neher/WDET
Jake Neher/WDET

Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s, D-Mich., is not going to Israel and the West Bank after a tumultuous back-and-forth with the country’s leadership. She’s not happy about it. 

“When I won, it gave the Palestinian people hope that someone will finally speak the truth about the inhumane conditions.” Tlaib said in a statement via Twitter

President Trump fueled the tension, earlier tweeting “It would show great weakness if Israel allowed Rep. Omar and Rep.Tlaib to visit. They hate Israel & all Jewish people, & there is nothing that can be said or done to change their minds.”

The complex debate involves state sovereignty, diplomacy and accusations of anti-Semitism and bigotry. 

Peter Trumbore, professor and Chair of Political Science at Oakland University joins Stephen Henderson on Detroit Today to discuss the situation.

Click on the player above to hear the full conversation.

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