For This Congressman, Support for the Palestinians Is Rooted in His Blackness
‘I will always speak out in defense of the Jewish community but will also unapologetically speak out for my Palestinian brothers,’ says Indiana Rep. Andre Carson, one of four Muslims ever elected to Congress
WASHINGTON – Only four Muslim Americans have been elected to Congress in U.S. history, three of whom — Reps. Andre Carson, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib — are currently serving. Carson is the longest serving of the group, elected to represent his hometown of Indianapolis in 2008.
The 46-year-old Indiana Democrat has been at the frontlines of the unprecedented wave of progressive criticism of Israel, leading a letter urging the Biden administration to push Israel to better facilitate the transfer of COVID-19 vaccines to Palestinians. He also co-sponsored Rep. Betty McCollum’s legislation on U.S. aid to Israel, and is consistently and unabashedly outspoken on Israel’s treatment of Palestinians.