A staffer on Rashida Tlaib’s team, a member of the squad, attempted to stop a Fox News reporter from asking her questions about the prospect of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressing the US Congress.
Rep. Tlaib, the only Palestinian-American in the House of Representatives, has sharply criticized Israel’s response to Hamas’ brutal attack on the Jewish state on October 7.
Israel is fighting to eliminate Hamas militants who attacked Israel. Palestinian authorities say more than 35,000 people have been killed during Israel’s campaign in Gaza.
On Thursday, the Michigan Democrat was walking near the Capitol when Fox News’ Chad Pergram approached her.
In the video broadcast by the conservative network, the journalist begins her question: “What happens if Netanyahu comes?” before they put the umbrella in her face, preventing Pergram from seeing her.
Fox News reporter Chad Pergram tries to ask Rep. Rashida Tlaib about the prospect of Netanyahu speaking before Congress.
Despite attempts to push back, Pergram persisted in what has been dubbed ‘Umbrellagate’.
When the staff member changes position, Pergram begins his line of questioning again.
‘EM. Tlaib, what if Netanyahu comes to speak? Is it a mistake for the speaker to extend this request? What do you think about Democratic leaders also accepting that request?’ he asks.
‘Would you attend? Would you protest in any way? Pergram persists.
With the umbrella still used to conceal the squad member, Tlaib finally responded.
‘I don’t know, inviting a war criminal to Congress is a farce. It’s embarrassing,’ he said.
A dispute ensues between Fox’s team and Tlaib’s staff over whether anyone was hit. “We’ve got it on video, guys,” Pergram says.
During a segment on Bret Baier’s show, he labeled the incident “Umbrellagate.”
Republican U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said Thursday that Netanyahu will soon address a joint meeting of Congress amid heightened tension with President Joe Biden over his handling of the war in Gaza. of the Israeli leader.
Finally, Pergram was able to draw a clear line with Tlaib.
In brief statements, Tlaib called Representative Benjamin Netanyahu a “war criminal”
Delivering a keynote address at the Israeli embassy’s annual Independence Day reception, Johnson, the top Republican in Congress and a critic of the Democratic president’s Israel policy, said it would be “a strong show of support for the Israeli government in its time of greatest need. ‘
Such a speech is sure to further anger progressive Democrats who criticize Israel’s military campaign in Gaza and Biden’s support for it. Netanyahu has aligned himself closely with Republicans.
The diplomatic meeting in Washington comes amid tensions between Biden and Netanyahu over US pressure for Israel to do more to protect Palestinian civilians in the war against Hamas militants in Gaza.
The embassy gave equal importance to Democratic U.S. Rep. Pete Aguilar, who shared the high-profile platform with Johnson at a more subdued event under the shadow of the Gaza war.
“As Americans, we reaffirm our commitment to Israel’s sovereignty,” he said.
Johnson spoke first, to applause: “Tonight I am pleased to announce… that we will soon welcome Prime Minister Netanyahu to the Capitol for a joint session of Congress.”
Successive US administrations typically send a high-level official to Independence Day receptions.
Vice President Kamala Harris, who in recent months has called the situation in Gaza a “humanitarian catastrophe” and called for a ceasefire, delivered last year’s keynote speech, primarily extolling U.S. support for Israel.
An Israeli official said this year that the embassy wanted to honor lawmakers in a bipartisan way in gratitude for Congress’ approval of billions of dollars in new U.S. military aid.
The reception took place on the same night as a state dinner at the White House for Kenyan President William Ruto, which the Israeli official said created a scheduling conflict for Cabinet members.
Several lower-ranking Biden advisers attended, including Derek Chollet, an adviser to Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
The White House declined to comment when asked if it was consulted about the invitation to Netanyahu or if Biden, who has denied an Oval Office meeting with the Israeli leader, might see him in Washington.