“Squad members” made their show of hatred for Israel after voting against a House resolution to affirm that the Jewish country is not a racist or apartheid state, according to Fox News. The “squad” is a progressive bloc composed of Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar, and Ayanna Presley. Other Democrats that voted against the resolution were Jamaal Bowman, Summer Lee, Cori Bush, Andre Carson, and Delia Ramirez.
The resolution passed by a vote of 412 to 9, with Democrat Rep. Betty McCollum voting present. It comes after Rep. Pramila Jayapal labeled Israel a “racist state.” The congresswoman faced immense pushback from both Democrats and Republicans for her comment and has since retracted it. But a statement was released by 40 Democrats condemning her words and distancing themselves from her.
Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer passed the letter around noting the historic relationship between Israel and the United States. He said that the Jewish people are constantly being delegitimized and called such efforts dangerous to America’s national security. Lawmakers have agreed that Israel remains the only “vibrant, progressive, and inclusive” democracy in the Middle Eastern region.
The House resolution to affirm that Israel is not racist is sponsored by Rep. August Pfluger, who suggested that Democrats who did not show their support are antisemitic. He stated that Israel is the U.S.’s “most important partner in the Middle East.” He added that he is disappointed in some of the Democrats’ refusal to sign onto the resolution.
But despite Jayapal retracting her comment, she has affirmed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is racist, which comes as Israeli President Isaac Herzog is gearing up to address Congress. The speech will mark the 75th anniversary of the U.S.-Israel partnership. It is expected that Omar and Ocasio-Cortez will boycott the speech.
