House supports Israel, condemns antisemitism.

The House of‌ Representatives Stands​ with Israel and Condemns ⁤Antisemitism

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The House⁣ of Representatives passed⁤ a resolution on July ​18 affirming Congress stands with Israel‍ and condemns antisemitism.

The resolution, ⁢introduced by ​Rep. August ⁢Pfluger (R-Texas), passed⁣ 412-9-1.

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Reps. Alexandria⁣ Ocasio-Cortez ⁢(D-N.Y.), ‌Ilhan Omar‌ (D-Minn.), ‌Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), ⁢Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.), Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.),​ Summer‌ Lee (D-Pa.), Andre ​Carson (D-Ind.), ⁢Cori Bush (D-Mo.),⁤ and ‌Ayanna Pressley ⁤(D-Mass.) voted against it.

Rep. Betty ‍McCollum​ voted “present.”

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The⁤ resolution states that⁤ Congress believes: ⁢“The state ⁤of Israel‍ is not a ⁢racist or apartheid state,” and⁤ that “Congress‍ rejects⁣ all forms of antisemitism and ⁤xenophobia,” and⁣ that “the ⁤United States will always​ be a staunch partner‍ and supporter of‌ Israel.”

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The ‌resolution ⁤comes in the aftermath of Rep. ⁣Pramila Jayapal⁣ (D-Wash.), chairwoman of the⁤ Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), calling Israel ‍a “racist​ state.”

“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,”‌ Ms. ⁤Jayapal ‌told​ pro-Palestinian demonstrators at the ⁣annual conference for the progressive organization⁣ Netroots ⁤Nation on July 16.

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“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 ​continued.

However, ⁢Ms. ​Jayapal later ⁤reversed⁣ course, saying the Jewish state is not⁢ racist,‌ but that its⁢ prime minister, Benjamin ⁣Netanyahu, and his government are.

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“At a ⁢conference,‌ I attempted to defuse a ⁢tense situation during a ​panel where fellow ‍members of Congress⁤ were being protested. Words do matter and ⁢so⁢ it⁣ is‍ important that‌ I clarify my statement,” she​ said in ‍a statement.

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“I do⁣ not believe the ​idea‌ of Israel⁣ as a nation ⁣is racist,” continued Ms. Jayapal. ‍“I ⁢do, however, believe that⁤ Netanyahu’s extreme⁤ right-wing⁢ government⁣ has engaged in‌ discriminatory⁤ and outright ⁢racist ⁢policies​ and⁢ that there are extreme racists‍ driving ‌that policy‍ within the leadership of the ⁤current government.

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“I believe ​it​ is incumbent on all⁢ of us who ⁤are striving⁣ to make​ our world ⁣a​ more‌ just and​ equitable place to⁤ call ⁢out ​and condemn these policies and⁢ this ‍current Netanyahu⁣ government’s​ role in furthering them.”

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Ms. ​Jayapal ⁤reiterated her⁤ call‍ for ‌a ‍two-state solution​ to the ‍Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

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She explained that her response at ‌the⁣ conference was her “responding to the deep pain and hopelessness​ that exists⁢ for Palestinians‌ and their⁣ diaspora ‍communities⁢ when it comes​ to this debate, but ​I in ​no way intended‍ to deny the deep‍ pain and hurt of Israelis⁢ and⁤ their Jewish diaspora community that still reels ⁤from the trauma of⁢ pogroms and persecution, the Holocaust, and continuing antisemitism and hate ‍violence​ that is rampant today.”

House ‍Democrat leadership—House Minority Leader ​Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), House‌ Democrat ‌Conference Chair Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.), and Vice‍ Chair Ted Lieu (D-Calif.)—rebutted Jayapal’s initial ‍claim‍ while ⁤not ⁤calling out Jayapal by⁤ name⁤ or ‍condemning her.

“Israel is not a racist⁣ state. As a Jewish and⁤ Democratic nation, Israel‌ was founded 75 years ago on the principle of complete equality‍ of social and political⁤ rights for all of its citizens irrespective of religion,⁣ race or sex, as codified in its Declaration of‌ Independence,” ⁣they ​said in ​a⁣ statement.

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“America and Israel have‍ a uniquely special relationship anchored in our shared democratic ⁢values and strategic ‌interests,” continued House Democrat leadership.

“As House Democratic ⁤leaders, we ‌strongly‍ support Israel’s ‍right to exist as⁣ a homeland​ for⁣ the Jewish ⁤people. We​ are⁢ also firmly ​committed to a ​robust ⁤two-state ‌solution ‌where ⁢Israel and the Palestinian⁢ people can live‍ side⁢ by side in peace ⁣and ‍prosperity.”

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While House Democrat⁤ leadership ‌went‍ on⁤ to acknowledge that there ‌are members of ​Mr. Netanyahu’s coalition and of Congress‌ with whom‌ they do not ‍agree, it reiterated‌ its commitment‍ to ensuring bipartisan ⁢support⁢ for the Jewish state.

Additionally, a statement⁤ signed by ⁤43 House Democrats,​ including‌ nine in the CPC, ‍circulated as ​of July 16 evening rebuking Ms. ⁤Jayapal by ⁣name.

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“Israel remains⁣ the only​ vibrant, progressive, ‌and inclusive democracy⁢ in the region.​ Arab parties serve in the Knesset, women serve at the highest‍ levels⁤ of the ⁤government, ⁤and all citizens enjoy ⁢equal‌ rights,” the ⁤statement ⁤read.