Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) appeared to support the effort to end Pitzer College’s study abroad program at the University of Haifa in Israel.
Daniel Segal, an anthropology and history professor at Pitzer, tweeted out a photo on March 10 of Tlaib holding a booklet with a cover that read, “#SuspendPitzerHaifa.”
@RashidaTlaib is in with #SuspendPitzerHaifa. @pitzercollege @caliactivist @sareemakdisi @YousefMunayyer @jjz1600 @RepJudyChu @jvplive @theIMEU pic.twitter.com/5NUQoQk6c7
— Daniel A. Segal #FreePalestine #TIAADivest (@DanSegal14) March 11, 2019
The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel also tweeted out the photo:
US Congress member @RashidaTlaib supports faculty at @pitzercollege who voted overwhelmingly to suspend a study abroad program with Haifa University over Israel’s discriminatory policies against Palestinians.
The College Council must uphold the faculty vote. #SuspendPitzerHaifa pic.twitter.com/VHBY7pE9vF
— PACBI (@PACBI) March 12, 2019
StandWithUs CEO and co-founder Roz Rothstein tweeted, “Shame on Rashida Tlaib for supporting the Pitzer College Council proposal to suspend the college’s study abroad program with the U of Haifa. How does promoting this kind of hate, help peace?”
Shame on Rashida Tlaib for supporting the Pitzer College Council proposal to suspend the college’s study abroad program with the U of Haifa. How does promoting this kind of hate, help peace? Below: posing with the hashtag #SuspendPitzerHaifa, ahead of a March 14 vote. pic.twitter.com/04ip98yWQs
— Roz Rothstein (@RozRothstein) March 14, 2019
Rothstein wrote in a subsequent tweet, “You want to boycott an exchange program with Haifa University which has over 40% Arab Israeli students? And why? Because you have a peace plan? Your support of @BDSFail hate will never lead to peace.”
.@RashidaTlaib how ridiculous & unhelpful! You want to boycott an exchange program with Haifa University which has over 40% Arab Israeli students? And why? Because you have a peace plan? Your support of @BDSFail hate will never lead to peace @StandWithUs https://t.co/rySuofllOr
— Roz Rothstein (@RozRothstein) March 14, 2019
Tlaib’s office and Segal did not respond to multiple requests for comment from the Journal as of publication time.
Tlaib is an open supporter of the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement. In December, Tlaib told The Intercept that she is refusing to go on AIPAC’s (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) annual trip to Israel and will instead be doing her own trip to the Palestinian territories.
The Pitzer College Council vote on the University of Haifa study abroad program will take place later on March 14. Student representation on the vote will be limited and the only media outlet allowed in is The Student Life, a publication that is funded by the Claremont Colleges student governments.
