By Debra Rubin
The House of Representatives, with bipartisan support, overwhelmingly passed a resolution in support of Israel following a statement from the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus declaring Israel a “racist state.”
The 412-9-1 vote declaring “Israel is not a racist or apartheid state” on Tuesday, July 18, came after Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Washington) called Israel a “racist state.” Ironically, Jayapal—who has walked back her comments and apologized to those she hurt after she came under withering criticism from both Republicans and Democrats—was not among the nine Democrats in the Progressive Caucus who voted against the resolution. The resolution was introduced by Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas).
Although Republicans rallied around the resolution, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Dist. 5) was among more than 40 Democrats who signed a letter rebuking Jayapal and citing their staunch support of the Jewish state.
“We literally put [that] together in a day,” he told The Jewish Link, adding despite Republican attempts to make Israeli support a political issue by splintering Democrats, he said that the party is unequivocally behind Israel.
“This is not at all where the Democrat Party is and people can rest assured this is not where the majority of Democrats are,” he said of Jayapal’s statements.
Gottheimer pointed out the Democratic leadership immediately put out a statement refuting Jayapal.
The statement—from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and members of his leadership team—declared that “Israel is not a racist state.” It also said America’s long-held commitment to “a safe and secure Israel as an invaluable partner, ally and beacon of democracy in the Middle East is ironclad.”
“I think this is where the majority of Democrats and the leadership are,” said Gottheimer. “We recognize the importance of the U.S-Israel relationship. A few fringe members have unfortunately given a different perspective.”
The letter Gottheimer signed states that, “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 military, and the country remains an oasis for LGBTQ+ people in a region hostile toward the community. Pluralism flourishes in Israel.”
It called Jayapal’s comments “unacceptable” and stated, “Israel is the legitimate homeland of the Jewish people and efforts to delegitimize and demonize it are not only dangerous and antisemitic, but they also undermine America’s national security,” highlighting the critical role Israel plays in the fight against terror, defense and in intelligence collaboration.
The letter said the group remained committed to peace between Israelis and Palestinians to establish two states existing “side-by-side in peace, prosperity and mutual security.”
It also expressed appreciation for Jayapal’s retraction and stated: “We will never allow anti-Zionist voices that embolden antisemitism to undermine and disrupt the strongly bipartisan consensus supporting the U.S.-Israel relationship that has existed for decades.”
Jayapal’s remarks came ahead of Israeli president Isaac Herzog’s Wednesday address to Congress in which he said he “was not oblivious to criticisms among friends, including some expressed by respected members of this House. I respect criticism, especially from friends, although one does not always have to accept it.” However, he added: “But criticism must not cross the line into negation of the state of Israel’s right to exist. … One cannot talk about peace while condoning and legitimizing terror. …True peace cannot be anchored in violence.”
The Democratic members of the Progressive Caucus who voted against the resolution were: Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY), Rashida Tlaib (Mich.), Jamaal Bowman (NY), Summer Lee (Pa.), Ilhan Omar (Minn.), Cori Bush (Mo.), Andre Carson (Ind.), Delia Ramirez (Ill.) and Ayanna Pressley (Mass.). Rep. Betty McCollum (Minn.) voted “present.” They said they would also boycott Herzog’s address.
To read more about President Herzog’s speech to Congress, see here
