Jayapal attempts to retract ‘Israel is a racist state’ statement.

Far-left Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) Faces Backlash ⁤Over⁢ Anti-Israel Comments

Far-left ‌Rep. Pramila‌ Jayapal (D-WA) is facing condemnation from ‍fellow ⁣House Democrats after making controversial statements⁣ about⁤ Israel. During ⁢a ⁤panel ⁤discussion with ⁤fellow hardliners ⁢Reps.​ Jan‍ Schakowsky (D-IL) and Chuy⁤ Garcia (D-AZ), anti-Israel demonstrators chanted that “Israel is⁢ a racist ⁣state,” ​to which ‍Jayapal ‌responded, “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.”

The‌ comments drew applause and​ cheers ‍from some⁣ members of‍ the ‍audience but were soon rebuked by ‍fellow Democrats. In a⁢ letter ⁢from the House Democratic leadership, it was stated, “Israel is not a racist state.‌ America ⁣and Israel have​ a uniquely ‍special relationship anchored in our shared democratic values ⁣and ‌strategic interests. As ‌House⁣ Democratic⁢ leaders, we strongly support Israel’s right⁢ to exist as a homeland ‍for the Jewish people.”

Following‍ the backlash, Jayapal released a statement attempting ‍to clarify ⁢her comments. She stated, “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. I do ⁣not ‌believe ​the idea of Israel ​as a​ nation is racist.” However, she criticized Israeli Prime Minister​ Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing his government⁣ of engaging ​in discriminatory ‍and racist policies.

A ⁤separate letter ⁢from ⁣a⁤ group of Jewish‌ Democrats expressed “deep concern” ‌over Jayapal’s‌ remarks, calling them ‍”unacceptable.” ⁣The letter emphasized that anti-Zionist voices ⁣that embolden antisemitism should not be allowed to​ hijack the Democratic Party and the country.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA)⁤ called upon House Minority Leader⁣ Hakeem Jeffries to‍ address Jayapal’s and other Democrats’ anti-Israel ‍comments, ‌highlighting ‌that‍ this⁢ is not ​the first time such remarks have been⁤ made within the Democratic conference. McCarthy referenced Rep. Ilhan Omar’s (D-MN) previous comparison of ⁣Israel⁣ with the Taliban and other controversial statements.

These⁢ comments from Jayapal‍ come‌ ahead of ⁣Israeli ​President⁢ Isaac ⁢Herzog’s address to a ⁤joint session of Congress, ‌commemorating the ‌Jewish State’s ‌75th Anniversary. While Democratic⁤ leadership⁣ has been ⁤receptive to⁣ Herzog’s visit, far-left‍ Democrats, including Omar, ​Alexandria ⁢Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY),⁤ Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), and Cori Bush‍ (D-MO), have announced that they will not attend the speech in protest. Jayapal is​ reportedly undecided on whether she will attend.