Sept 21, V7N - Palestinian American U.S. lawmaker Rashida Tlaib has strongly condemned a cartoon published by the conservative magazine National Review, which depicted her alongside an exploding pager. The cartoon, titled "Tlaib Pager Hamas," references recent attacks against Hezbollah members in Lebanon and has sparked significant backlash for its perceived racist implications.

Tlaib took to social media to express her outrage, labeling the cartoon as racist and stating that it incites hatred and violence against Arab and Muslim communities. She criticized the media for normalizing such portrayals during a time when her community is already facing significant challenges. "It's disgraceful that the media continues to normalize this racism against our communities," Tlaib remarked.

The cartoon, created by artist Henry Payne, has drawn widespread criticism not only from Tlaib but also from fellow lawmakers, including Cory Bush and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, as well as advocacy groups like Emgage Action and various human rights organizations. Critics argue that the illustration perpetuates harmful stereotypes and dehumanizes individuals based on their ethnicity and political affiliations.
The controversy comes in the wake of escalating violence in the region, particularly following Hezbollah's recent attacks attributed to Israeli involvement, although Israel has not claimed responsibility. Tlaib has been a vocal critic of Israel's actions in Gaza and the U.S.

support for Israel, raising concerns about the rising dehumanization of Arabs, Muslims, and Jews amid the ongoing conflict.
As tensions continue to rise, the backlash against the cartoon highlights the broader issues of representation and the impact of media portrayals on marginalized communities.

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