White House Calls Remarks by Anti-Israel Lawmakers ‘Disgraceful’

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks during the daily press briefing at the White House on Oct. 05, 2023, in Washington. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre condemned Democrat members of Congress who expressed anti-Israel sentiment amid the Jewish state coming under attack by the terrorist group Hamas.

“I’ve seen some of those statements this weekend. And we’re going to continue to be very clear. We believe they’re wrong. We believe they are repugnant and we believe they’re disgraceful,” said Ms. Jean-Pierre during the Oct. 10 White House press briefing.

“Our condemnation belongs squarely with terrorists who have brutally murdered, raped, kidnapped hundreds, hundreds of Israelis,” she continued.

“There can be no equivocation about that. There are not two sides here. There are not two sides.”

A number of Democrats have come under fire for statements they have made over the past few days since Hamas launched rockets on and invaded Israel from Gaza, which it controls, on Oct. 7.

“I grieve [for] the Palestinian and Israeli lives lost yesterday, today, and every day. I am determined as ever to fight for a just future where everyone can live in peace, without fear and with true freedom, equal rights, and human dignity,” said Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) in an Oct. 8 statement.

“The path to that future must include lifting the [Gaza] blockade, ending the occupation, and dismantling the apartheid system that creates the suffocating, dehumanizing conditions that can lead to resistance.

“The failure to recognize the violent reality of living under siege, occupation, and apartheid makes no one safer,” Ms. Tlaib continued.

In Israel, Arab Israelis have the same rights as Jewish and Christian Israelis. Palestinians are under the Palestinian Authority, a separate entity, and Gaza is controlled by Hamas.

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) called for an end to U.S. military assistance to Israel, which totals $3.8 billion annually. Of that, $3.3 billion is military aid.

“The solution to this horror, as ever, is a negotiated peace—with Israelis and Palestinians enjoying equal rights and security guarantees,” Ms. Omar said in an Oct. 9 post on X, formerly Twitter.

“Instead of continuing unconditional weapons sales and military aid to Israel, I urge the United States at long last to use its diplomatic might to push for peace.”

President Joe Biden said in a speech on Oct. 10 that he will request from Congress supplemental assistance for Israel.

“I am heartbroken by the ongoing violence in Palestine and Israel, and I mourn the over 250 Israeli and 230 Palestinian lives that have been lost today, and the thousands injured, following attacks by Hamas militants on Israeli border towns and Israeli military bombardment of Gaza,” said Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) in an Oct. 7 statement.

“I strongly condemn the targeting of civilians and I urge an immediate ceasefire and de-escalation to prevent further loss of life,” Ms. Bush continued.

Like Ms. Omar, Ms. Bush called for ending U.S. assistance to Israel.

“As part of achieving a just and lasting peace, we must do our part to stop this violence and trauma by ending U.S. government support for Israeli military occupation and apartheid,” she said.

At least 1,000 people, including 14 U.S. citizens, have been killed by Hamas.

Hamas has taken at least 150 Israelis hostage, including a wheelchair-bound elderly female Holocaust survivor.

In response to the attacks, Israel has officially declared war and has retaliated with strikes on Gaza.