CHICAGO: Five-term Pennsylvania State Legislator Chris Rabb has pledged to make the rights of Palestinians a cornerstone of his candidacy for an open Philadelphia Congressional seat.
“The Palestinian cause” reflects “the same principles” as those fought for in the US civil rights movement, the Democrat told Arab News.
Many Americans, “especially African Americans,” see “very clear similarities” between the two movements, he added.
Despite criticism from supporters of Israel, he will continue to advocate for Palestinian rights, and “the rights of Jews and Israelis,” in his campaign to win the May 19 Democratic nomination for the 3rd Congressional District, which represents northern and western Philadelphia.
“I believe you can’t be free until we’re all free, and I stand in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and oppose the genocide that’s going on there,” Rabb said, denouncing critics who fuel the conflict and have “weaponized antisemitism” in their challenges to his candidacy.
“I can’t be silent. When you’re silent, you’re complicit, and I won’t do that. I want the same people to stand up for me and my community.
“There’s a long track record of African-American leaders going back to at least the 1960s, if not before, who stood in solidarity with Palestinians.”
Supporting Palestinian rights is not antisemitic, he said, noting that his father was always very close to the American-Jewish community, which explains the support he continues to receive as a state legislator from Jewish voters. “I actually grew up learning Yiddish,” Rabb said.
“I believe in a free Palestine. I believe in freedom. Why wouldn’t anybody support that?” he asked. “I’ve grown up in a very racist society as an African American. I grew up in Chicago and saw things firsthand on a very personal level. Whether it’s mistreatment by law enforcement or by school officials, none of this is new to me. (Discrimination against Palestinians) is just a greater intensity and on a larger scale.
“So I knew exactly what I was getting into, and I don’t take that lightly. My sons are afraid for my life, to be perfectly frank, because of the positions I take, even though I believe that they’re fair and measured.”
He added: “I don’t believe there’s a hierarchy for human life. I believe in the sanctity of human rights irrespective of ethnicity or nationality or faith.
“I don’t think that should be a controversial issue. And of course, I make a distinction between Israel and Israel’s right-wing government.”
Rabb said the criticism and false claims by extremist pro-Israel supporters is “born largely out of racism,” adding: “I won’t apologize for being a humanitarian without exception.”
These “extremist organizations” are “basically weaponizing my Blackness to say, ‘That must be because he’s an antisemite,’ without knowing my story.”
Rabb said extremists of all religions and politics should be confronted, emphasizing that many American Jews, including in his district, support a fair and just resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and oppose the policies of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is driving the “genocide” in Gaza and expanding violence in the occupied West Bank.
The 3rd Congressional District is a strong “blue district,” meaning that voters overwhelmingly vote for Democratic candidates.
Rabb said that foundation can achieve “transformational change” toward achieving justice for everyone.
“I listen and engage all people in good faith, and I represent a very active Jewish population here in Philadelphia,” he added.
“I have a number of rabbis who have embraced me as one of their own, who believe that I stand for decency, care and empathy. And I take that very seriously when the attacks are just unending.”
