Rashida Tlaib reveals details of a congressional resolution describing what is happening in Gaza as genocide

US Representative Rashida Tlaib revealed details of a draft resolution she submitted to Congress that recognizes that what Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are subjected to amounts to genocide, stressing that recognizing this legal description imposes direct obligations on the United States as a signatory to the Convention on the Prevention of the Crime of Genocide.

Tlaib said that the draft resolution is based on clear legal texts, taken verbatim from the international convention to which Washington is a party, adding that this step is not limited to political or moral description only, but obliges the United States to activate its legal obligations towards what is happening in Gaza.

The American representative of Palestinian origin criticized Washington's participation in what she described as genocide, saying that "despite its ability to stop what has been happening for years, our country could have stopped this a long time ago, but that did not happen, and one war crime after another was committed before our eyes."

Tlaib stressed the importance of continuing to call what is happening in Gaza by its legal name, affirming, "I do not want us to stop talking about Gaza, nor to stop calling what is happening by its true name: it is genocide."

Representative Rashida Tlaib explained that the draft resolution, which she submitted concurrently with the anniversary of the adoption of the Genocide Prevention Convention on December 9, aims to emphasize that the United States, despite being one of the signatory states to the convention, is not applying its legal obligations regarding the Israeli government.

She explained that the text of the resolution "does not only provide a political or moral description, but demands the activation of the legal obligations stipulated in the convention."

Tlaib noted that the draft resolution currently enjoys the support of about 21 other representatives in the House of Representatives, stressing that its approval means the United States recognizes that the Israeli government is committing genocide, which legally entails taking specific measures, including stopping military funding and imposing an arms embargo.

The draft resolution states that the Genocide Prevention Convention obliges signatory states to use all available means to prevent genocide and punish its perpetrators, including investigating the potential complicity of individuals and companies, complying with orders of international criminal courts, and imposing targeted legal sanctions.

Tlaib indicated that the draft resolution faces resistance within the American legislative institution, especially from parties seeking to avoid using the term "genocide" due to its legal implications, explaining that "there are groups strongly pushing to prevent the use of the word genocide, because they know that this word activates binding legal agreements in which the United States participates."

The representative explained that the leadership of the US House of Representatives has not yet officially recognized that what is happening in Gaza amounts to genocide, which constitutes a major obstacle to passing the resolution, the date of which has not yet been clarified. However, she stressed that the importance of the project is not limited to the chance of its approval, but also lies in its being a political tool to organize popular pressure and hold legislators accountable, affirming: "We are using this resolution as an educational tool, to remind my colleagues that we are a signatory state to the Genocide Prevention Convention."

Representative Rashida Tlaib said that American public opinion is witnessing rapid shifts towards what is happening in Gaza, explaining that the majority of Americans, both Democrats and Republicans, have come to recognize that what is happening in the Strip is genocide, and emphasize the importance of stopping military funding.

She added that this shift has begun to be reflected politically, as some political figures have begun to lose their elections due to their continued support for what she described as genocide, and confidence in politicians who refuse to acknowledge it has declined.

Tlaib affirmed that popular pressure will continue if the draft resolution is not passed, with escalating demands for sanctions and an arms embargo, noting that this path does not stop at a single vote in Congress.