Congress criticizes representative for calling Israel "a racist state"

Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) is a congressional member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus who recently made headlines for an unfortunate statement about Israel, calling it a “racist state.” After being criticized by the leadership of both parties, the House of Representatives moved to action with a resolution stating precisely the opposite, that the Jewish state “is not a racist or apartheid state.”

The controversial statements came as the legislator was speaking to a group of protesters at an event organized by Netroots Nation in Chicago. “As somebody who’s been in the streets and participated in a lot of demonstrations, I want you to know that we have been fighting to make it clear that Israel is a racist state, that the Palestinian people deserve self-determination and autonomy, that the dream of a two-state solution is slipping away from us, that it does not even feel possible,” she said last Saturday.

Jayapal attempted to apologize 24 hours later, assuring that she “does not believe that the idea of Israel as a nation is racist” while offering an apology “to those I have hurt with my words.”

Both Democrats and Republicans criticized their progressive colleague. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), House Minority Leader, joined Katherine Clark (D-MA), Pete Aguilar (D-CA) and Ted Lieu (D-CA) in rejecting the statements, although they did not mention Jayapal by name.

The House resolution in support of Israel

In addition to media commentary, the GOP sprung into action with the pen of Congressman August Pfluger (R-TX), who authored a resolution that the lower chamber will vote on. The document is only one page long and states the opposite of the views of the Democrat, that Israel is not a racist state, that Congress rejects all forms of xenophobia and anti-Semitism, and concludes that the United States “will always be a staunch partner and supporter of Israel.”

“Her comments are just the latest in a long and unfortunate string of comments made by some in that party. And this resolution would affirm our relationship — would push back on any sort of notion of what either she or others have said in the past, that Israel is a racist nation, which is nonsense,” the Texan added about his colleague’s words.

The resolution passed with a large bipartisan majority, with 412 votes in favor and nine against (all Democrats). The members of Congress who gave Israel the thumbs down were Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, Rashida Talib, Cori Bush, Andre Carson, Ayanna Pressley, Ilhan Omar, Delia Ramirez, Jamaal Bowman and Summer Rae.

This is not the first time Jayapal has taken aim at Israel or its government. On another occasion, she described Benjamin Netanyahu as “extreme right-wing” and a person who “has engaged in discriminatory and openly racist policies.”

The vote came just one day before Isaac Herzog, President of Israel, is scheduled to address a joint session of Congress.