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Rashida Tlaib backs students in crucial BDS movement in US college

March 14, 2019 at 3:37 pm

Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib delivers a speech in Washington DC, US on 10 January 2019 [Safvan Allahverdi/Anadolu Agency]

Democratic representative Rashida Tlaib is backing a pro-Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) move by an American university. The Council of Pitzer College in Southern California is today expected to vote on if the university will continue its study abroad programme in conjunction with the University of Haifa in Israel. In November, the faculty voted on a motion to discontinue the programme until the Israeli government ceases its ban of BDS supporter from entering the country.

Tlaib’s endorsement of the campaign was posted on social media. The Michigan Democratic representative can be seen holding the group’s information pamphlet calling to suspend ties with Haifa. Leading the charge is Professor Daniel Segal, an anthropology and history professor, who announced through his Twitter account that Tlaib was his movement’s newest backer.

“Tlaib is in with #SuspendPitzerHaifa,” wrote Segal, along with the picture of Tlaib holding the group’s information pamphlet.

In an earlier tweet he said: “Pitzer to be Pitzer must operate its study abroad programs in accord with social responsibility and social justice. #SuspendPitzerHaifa”.

Tlaib, a Palestinian-American serving her first term in Congress, has endorsed the BDS movement and is only of two US politicians to come out in its support. She highlighted her desire to fight “issues such as racism and Israel’s violations of the Palestinians’ human rights”, for her endorsement of BDS.

Rashida Tlaib, the first Palestinian US congresswoman - Cartoon [Sabaaneh/MiddleEastMonitor]

Rashida Tlaib, the first Palestinian US congresswoman – Cartoon [Sabaaneh/MiddleEastMonitor]