In a heated debate within the Democratic Party, Michigan Representative Rashida Tlaib's refusal to retract her statements blaming Israel for the deadly blast that devastated a Gaza hospital has ignited tensions among congressional Democrats. The incident, which killed hundreds and sparked a regional backlash against the US and Israel, has exposed deep divisions within the party over its relationship with Israel and how to approach the escalating conflict between Israel and Gaza.

Tlaib initially based her views on early reports sourced from Hamas that implicated Israel in the hospital explosion. However, subsequent American intelligence contradicted these claims and concluded that the Israel Defense Forces were not responsible for the blast.

The disagreement has brought to light the long-standing differences among congressional Democrats regarding their stance on Israel. While mainstream Democrats, led by President Joe Biden, maintain staunch support for Israel, progressive House members are calling for aggressive US intervention to secure a ceasefire and hold Israel accountable for alleged war crimes against Palestinians. Even within the progressive bloc, influential members like Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have occasionally diverged from their allies and adopted a more cautious and conciliatory approach. The political director for Representative Ro Khanna, another prominent progressive, even resigned due to Khanna's refusal to sign a resolution urging a ceasefire.

Representative Tlaib, a Palestinian American and a prominent advocate for Palestinian rights, has been the most vocal critic of Israel in Congress since her election in 2018. Her persistent insistence on blaming Israel for the hospital blast has caused frustration among colleagues who aim to present a united front during this distressing period.

Florida Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz criticized Tlaib's position, emphasizing the need for her to review the intelligence shared with House members and urging her to remove her controversial tweets. Other Democrats have expressed measured frustrations over Tlaib's unwavering stance, especially in light of conflicting reports and new evidence indicating that Israel was not responsible for the blast. Some have also criticized the media's coverage of the tragedy, arguing that it disproportionately favored Hamas sources.

Tlaib's office has yet to respond to requests for comment on the matter, but the representative appeared at a rally on Capitol Hill where she continued to blame Israel for the incident.

The controversy surrounding Tlaib's comments has left many House Democrats furious. As conflicting intelligence reports circulate, one House Democrat questioned whether they should believe Hamas' intelligence or the United States' intelligence, highlighting the confusion among lawmakers.

Efforts are now underway among House Democrats to persuade Tlaib to attend an intelligence briefing on the hospital strike to gain a better understanding of the facts.

Despite the discord, former House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer downplayed the divisions within the party, pointing out that the dissenting views represent only a fraction of the Democratic Party. However, the number of progressives in the House Democratic Caucus has increased, and over a dozen Democratic members have publicly called for a ceasefire, including those who have signed a proposed resolution by Representative Cori Bush, a newer member of the progressive squad.

The ongoing controversy surrounding Tlaib and other progressive members' views on Israel has reignited debates about the Democratic Party's unity and its ability to incorporate diverse voices. While some argue that diverse perspectives should be welcomed within the party, others express concerns that the pushback against Tlaib and fellow progressive Ilhan Omar undermines the party's brand and fails to acknowledge the marginalization experienced by Muslim Americans.

The Democratic Party continues to grapple with its internal divisions over Israel, as the conflict between Israel and Gaza escalates, further highlighting the challenges of presenting a cohesive stance on foreign policy within the party.