Michigan AG Dana Nessel Condemns Rashida Tlaib’s Anti-Semitic Remarks

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel (D) strongly rebuked Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) this week, accusing her of anti-Semitism after Tlaib suggested that Nessel’s Jewish faith made her biased in prosecuting far-Left pro-Hamas activists. The charged exchange highlights the growing tension within the Democratic Party over its handling of pro-Palestinian demonstrations and the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The controversy erupted after Nessel’s office charged 11 individuals with crimes, including attempted ethnic intimidation and assaulting police officers during a protest at the University of Michigan. In response, Tlaib claimed that Nessel targeted the activists because of her religious background, stating, “It seems that the attorney general decided, if the issue was Palestine, she was going to treat it differently.”

Nessel, appearing on CNN’s The Lead, pushed back, accusing Tlaib of attacking her faith and integrity. “Clearly, she’s referencing my religion as to why she thinks I can’t be fair,” Nessel said. She refuted Tlaib’s accusations, noting that none of the individuals charged were peaceful protesters. “Rashida is a lawyer. She had every opportunity to call me… but she didn’t do that,” Nessel added, criticizing Tlaib for mischaracterizing the charges.

Key Points from the Clash:

• Dana Nessel charged 11 activists with crimes tied to pro-Hamas demonstrations at the University of Michigan.

• Rashida Tlaib suggested Nessel’s Jewish faith influenced her decision, a claim Nessel blasted as anti-Semitic.

• Nessel defended the charges, emphasizing that they were based on the law, not religion, and none of the individuals charged were peaceful protesters.

Tlaib, who has been criticized previously for making anti-Semitic remarks, refused to answer follow-up questions or appear on CNN to defend her comments. Nessel, meanwhile, accused Tlaib of spreading a dangerous narrative rooted in religious bias, saying, “This isn’t the first time that we would have heard these words out of her mouth.”

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer initially avoided taking a side, saying she wouldn’t “get in the middle” of the argument between Nessel and Tlaib. However, following public backlash, Whitmer eventually issued a statement condemning Tlaib’s remarks as anti-Semitic. “The suggestion that Attorney General Nessel would make charging decisions based on her religion… is antisemitic,” Whitmer said, standing by Nessel’s integrity.

This exchange underscores a larger rift within the Democratic Party, as members grapple with internal conflicts over Israel, Hamas, and how the party should respond to rising tensions between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel groups.

Share this article or subscribe to our newsletter for more insights into political conflicts and upcoming election developments.