A campaign rally featuring Rashida Tlaib—a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives and a staunch critic of the Israeli government—was cancelled at the last minute. The decision followed a complaint from a state lawmaker amidst renewed tensions regarding the Democratic Party’s stance on Israel. Reuters reported that Tlaib, the first Palestinian-American member of Congress, was scheduled to participate in a rally in South Florida on Friday. The event was organized to support three candidates running in the upcoming Florida Democratic Party primary. “The Venue Fort Lauderdale” had been selected as the location. However, the venue abruptly cancelled the event after Michael Gottlieb—a state representative and chairman of the Florida Legislative Jewish Caucus—issued a statement on Thursday labeling the planned gathering as antisemitic. Tlaib has consistently condemned antisemitism, maintaining that criticizing Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories and its military strikes in Gaza and Lebanon does not constitute antisemitism. In a statement, the venue’s management cited growing security concerns as the reason for the cancellation, noting that the establishment is Jewish-owned and that their values and commitment to the Jewish community are of utmost importance to them.
Progressive Democratic leaders—including Rashida Tlaib and New York City Council member Zohran Mamdani—have opposed Washington’s support for Israel. Their opposition stems from concerns over Israeli attacks in Gaza and Lebanon, the potential for a U.S.-Israel conflict involving Iran, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s close ties with the Republican Party. Consequently, support among Democrats for Israel—a long-standing U.S. ally—has been steadily declining. Tlaib is known in Congress as one of the most vocal critics of Israel’s policies and its treatment of Palestinians. Her stance has long been a subject of debate within the Democratic Party as well.
The rally was organized by several groups, including the Florida Youth Justice Coalition, Gen-Z for Change, and a local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America. The event was intended to show support for State Representative Angie Nixon, who is running for a U.S. Senate seat, as well as for Elijah Manley and Oliver Larkin, who are contesting seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. One of the organizers told The New York Times that the rally was scheduled to take place at a wine bar in Fort Lauderdale on Friday night, even after the venue “The Venue Fort Lauderdale” withdrew from hosting the event. The Florida Democratic Progressive Caucus has alleged that anti-Muslim sentiment played a role in the cancellation of the rally.
