Controversy Surrounds 'From the River to the Sea' Phrase Amid Israel-Hamas Conflict

U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib Censured for Use of Phrase; Over 12,000 Lives Lost in Recent Violence

The phrase 'From the river to the sea' has been a point of controversy amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, with U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib being censured for its use. The phrase is a Palestinian nationalist slogan that has been interpreted by some as a call for the eradication of Israel.
The phrase has been around for decades and was adopted by Hamas, a group designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S., in its 2017 charter. It has been used as a rallying cry for Palestinian rights and is seen by others as offensive code for wiping Israel off the map.
Tlaib, the first Palestinian-American woman in Congress, has defended her use of the phrase, stating that it is an 'aspirational call for freedom, human rights, and peaceful coexistence, not death, destruction, or hate.' She has also stated that she does not support Hamas or the eradication of Israel or Jews.
The Anti-Defamation League has rejected Tlaib's explanation, calling the phrase antisemitic and a denial of the Jewish right to self-determination. House Republicans have also rebuked Tlaib for her use of the phrase during the debate over her censure.
The phrase's meaning is complex and has historical roots. It literally refers to the territory between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, symbolizing control over the territory within those Israeli borders. The phrase has been used by both Israelis and Palestinians to assert their claim over the land.