Details Of Heated Exchange Between Biden, Rep Rashida Tlaib At Detroit Airport Tarmac

Natalia Ningthoujam | May 18 2021

Joe Biden and Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib were on Tuesday spotted having a tense conversation on the airport tarmac in Detroit.

According to NPR, Tlaib's office said that she conveyed to Biden her dissatisfaction with the US' response to the conflict between Israel and Hamas that has been going on for a while now.

Tlaib, who is the first woman with Palestinian roots to serve in Congress, told Biden that Palestinians need to be protected, an aide for the Congresswoman's office said in a statement. "Palestinian human rights are not a bargaining chip and must be protected, not negotiated," the aide said Tlaib told Biden.

"The US cannot continue to give the right-wing [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu government billions each year to commit crimes against Palestinians. Atrocities like bombing schools cannot be tolerated, much less conducted with US-supplied weapons.

"Congresswoman Tlaib reiterated that the status quo is enabling more killing, that the current US approach of unconditional support for the Israeli government is not working, and that the White House must do far more to protect Palestinian lives, dignity, and human rights," the aide added.

After the confrontation, Biden complimented her during a speech in Dearborn, according to Fox News. "I want to say to you that I admire your intellect, I admire your passion, and I admire your concern for so many other people. And it's from my heart. I pray that your Grandma and family are well, I promise to do everything you see that they are in the West Bank.

"You're a fighter. And God, thank you for being a fighter," he added.

According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, the recent Israelis and Palestinians conflict resulted in deaths of at least 213 Palestinians, including 61 children. Meanwhile in Israel, about 12 people were killed, including a five-year old boy.

In a recent tweet addressed to Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Tlaib criticized the way the conflict between Hamas and Israel was handled. "If you support a cease-fire, then get out of the way of the U.N. Security Council and join other countries in demanding it," she said.

"Apartheid-in-chief Netanyahu will not listen to anyone asking nicely. He commits war crimes and openly violates international law," Tlaib added.

US President Joe Biden puts his arm around Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) as he speaks to Rep. Rashida Tlaib (L) D-MI upon arrival at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport in Detroit, Michigan on May 18, 2021. Photo by NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images