A former actor and current Michigan politician has been offered $20 million to run a competitive primary campaign against Democratic Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib; Which highlights the violent reaction that the Palestinian-American representative faces because of her position on Israel, according to what was reported by the British website Middle East Eye.

“One of AIPAC’s largest donors offered $20 million if I dropped out of the US Senate race and ran against Rashida Tlaib,” Hale Harper, the Democratic US Senate candidate, wrote on the X platform. “But I refused; I will not accept anyone intimidating me or buying me.”

He added: “I will not run against the only Palestinian American in Congress just because some special interests don’t like her.”

Harper revealed that he received the offer to run against Tlaib after Politico reported that Michigan businessman Linden Nelson offered him $10 million in direct contributions to his potential campaign and another $10 million in independent expenses if he ran against her.

“Breaking the grip of the Israeli lobby”

Harper, who dropped out of his lead role in the TV series The Good Doctor to run for an open Senate seat in Michigan, said the show crystallized his decision to enter politics.

He continued: "I'm running because I want to break the stranglehold that wealthy special interests have on our politics, whether that's the Israel lobby, the National Rifle Association, or Big Pharma."

It has a long history of ties between businessman Linden Nelson and the powerful pro-Israel lobby group, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Nelson has contributed to previous failed campaigns to oust Tlaib from Congress.

The attack on Rashida Tlaib

Representative Tlaib is an outspoken critic of Israel and has long faced challenges from AIPAC, and since the start of the Israeli aggression on Gaza, she has become one of the most prominent lawmakers calling for a ceasefire.

In a post on social networks, Tlaib also accused President Joe Biden, the leader of her Democratic Party, of supporting “genocide of the Palestinian people” by providing unconditional military support to Israel.

Earlier this month, a large number of Democratic members of Congress joined Republicans in criticizing Tlaib over her comments on the war, which her critics described as “anti-Semitic,” but Tlaib has fiercely defended her views.

“It is important to separate the people from the government,” Tlaib said. “The idea of calling criticism of the government of Israel anti-Semitism sets an extremely dangerous precedent. It has been used to silence diverse voices speaking up for human rights across our nation.”

It is noteworthy that the former actor and current politician, Harper, also opposed the Biden administration’s position on the war, and on November 10, he issued a statement in which he called for a ceasefire, while “Politico” magazine indicated that his statement came after Nelson called him by phone to make the offer.

Harper is in strong competition for the Senate seat in Michigan. He is competing with six Democrats and eight Republicans to replace Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow, who is retiring.

Source: Arabic Post