Time's up for 'The Squad' as even KJP calls their comments on Israel-Hamas war 'repugnant' and libs distance themselves
Warning: Graphic content, readers’ discretion advised
WASHINGTON, DC: White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre garnered applause after she made a firm statement on Tuesday, October 10, addressing the recent comments made by certain Democratic members of Congress in the wake of the Israel-Hamas conflict, as per Fox News.
She emphatically denounced these statements as "repugnant" and left no room for ambiguity in her position, stating, "There are not two sides," when it comes to the Hamas attack.
The spotlight in this controversy falls on a trio of left-wing lawmakers often referred to as "The Squad"—Representatives Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, and Cori Bush.
Notably, they have come under intense scrutiny for their reactions to the heinous circumstances, which claimed the lives of at least 1,200 Israelis.
Ilhan Omar's stance on Israel-Hamas conflict
Ilhan Omar, who has previously faced criticism for her apparent use of anti-Semitic stereotypes, initially condemned Hamas' attack on Saturday, October 7, writing, "Such senseless violence will only repeat the back-and-forth cycle we've seen, which we cannot allow to continue," in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
She also urged the international community to pray for the Palestinians in Gaza, emphasizing the dire conditions they face.
"Reminder, Gaza doesn't have shelters or an iron dome and please pray for them. May peace prevail in the region and move us towards a moral awakening to care about the human suffering we are seeing. Palestinians are human beings who have been besieged and are deserving of protection from the international community," stated Omar.
Reminder, Gaza doesn’t have shelters or an iron dome and to please pray for them. May peace prevail in the region and move us towards a moral awakening to care about the human suffering we are seeing. Palestinians are human beings who have been in besieged and are deserving of… https://t.co/zHssSCqi1O
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) October 8, 2023
However, her stance appeared to change as she later criticized Israel's response to the Hamas attack.
In a subsequent post, the Minnesota representative accused the Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant of supposedly referring to Palestinians as "human animals" and pledging to cut off essential resources to civilians in Gaza.
"The Israeli Defense Minister has called Palestinians 'human animals' and promised to cut off all electricity, all food, and all fuel to civilians in Gaza. This is collective punishment, a war crime, and the U.S. should oppose any violations of international law if we truly support a rules-based international order," wrote Omar.
This is collective punishment, a war crime, and the U.S. should oppose any violations of international law if we truly support a rules-based international order.
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) October 9, 2023
Rashida Tlaib claimed Israeli government takes part in 'apartheid'
Rashida Tlaib, a Michigan Democrat of Palestinian descent, shared her perspective on the ongoing violence in Israel and Palestine via an Instagram post. She expressed her grief over the loss of both Palestinian and Israeli lives and stressed the need to address the root causes of the conflict.
"As long as our country provides billions in unconditional funding to support the apartheid government, this heartbreaking cycle of violence will continue," said Tlaib.
"As long as our country provides billions in unconditional funding to support the apartheid government [Israel], this heartbreaking cycle of violence will continue," said US House of Representatives Rashida Tlaib https://t.co/0L5CNvIXAt
— Middle East Monitor (@MiddleEastMnt) October 10, 2023
Moreover, she chose to stay silent when Hillary Vaughn, a Fox News correspondent, questioned her about Hamas killing infants and children.
🚨WATCH: I asked Rep. Rashida Tlaib about Hamas terrorists chopping off babies heads, children being burned alive, and women being raped - she had nothing to say. pic.twitter.com/a3UvuvJ4hW
— Hillary Vaughn (@hillary__vaughn) October 11, 2023
Cori Bush says 'military response' will exacerbate the suffering of both Palestinians and Israelis
Cori Bush, a Missouri Democrat, took to social media to write, "Our immediate focus must be saving lives, but our ultimate focus must be on a just and lasting peace that ensures safety for everyone in the region."
She added, "Violations of human rights do not justify more violations of human rights, and a military response will only exacerbate the suffering of Palestinians and Israelis alike."
"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," continued Bush.
My statement on the ongoing violence in Palestine and Israel ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/NIt9G7aLMI
— Congresswoman Cori Bush (@RepCori) October 8, 2023
Fellow liberals slam Rashida Tlaib and Cory Bush over their statements
In response to the controversial statements made by Rashida Tlaib and Cory Bush, some of their fellow Democratic colleagues voiced their disagreement and concern.
Reps Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey and Ritchie Torres of New York were among those who expressed their views to Jewish Insider.
Gottheimer did not mince words, criticizing the calls to end assistance to Israel despite the stark images of Israeli civilians, including Americans, falling victim to violence perpetrated by Hamas.
"It sickens me that while Israelis clean the blood of their family members shot in their homes, they believe Congress should strip U.S. funding from our democratic ally and allow innocent civilians to suffer," lamented Gottheimer.
Torres stressed the importance of providing unconditional aid to Israel during this critical time and condemned anyone who glorified "resistance" in the wake of the attack, deeming it "reprehensible and repulsive."
Another Michigan Democrat, Rep Haley Stevens, distanced herself from Tlaib's comment, emphasizing the need for Congress and the country to unite in disavowing the Hamas attack and supporting Israel.
Christopher Hale, a Democrat who had run for a Tennessee House seat, expressed his disappointment with Rep Bush's comments, stating, "Congresswoman Bush, I am a Democrat, but this is like putting out a statement mourning the deaths of the nineteen hijackers along with the 2900 murdered in the 9/11 attacks."
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) also joined the chorus of criticism, highlighting the dire situation in Israel with over 600 Israelis murdered, more than 200 injured, and countless held hostage by Hamas. It called out the timing of the statements, characterizing them as "tone-deaf, heartless, and beyond reason."
Karine Jean-Pierre remarks on statements made by Democratic representatives
During a White House press conference, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre recently addressed the statements made by the Democratic lawmakers and strongly denounced them as "wrong, repugnant, and disgraceful," as reported by Fox News.
"Look, I've seen some of those statements this weekend and we are going to continue to be very clear, we believe they are wrong," said Jean-Pierre, adding, "We believe they are repugnant and we believe they are disgraceful."
She further noted, "Our condemnation belongs squarely with terrorists who have brutally murdered, raped, and kidnapped hundreds - hundreds of Israelis. There can be no equivocation about that. There are not two sides here."
Internet lauds Karine Jean-Pierre for slamming the 'Squad'
Karine Jean-Pierre's unequivocal condemnation of the remarks made by certain Democrats received praise on social media, even from critics of the Joe Biden administration. It seems to have sparked a rare moment of agreement among individuals with differing political views.
One wrote, "First time KJP has ever said anything people can agree with," while another added, "For the first time since she took that job, I find myself agreeing with her, and for once respecting her fortitude."
"Damn this is crazy but I’m actually proud of KJP for once. I’m honestly very shocked right now 1 because I said I’m proud of KJP and 2 because they are turning on each other," read a comment.
Someone else expressed, "The only time I have ever agreed with her," with one more saying, "I'm liking KJP more."
First time KJP has ever said anything people can agree with
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) October 11, 2023
For the first time since she took that job, i find myself agreeing with her, and for once respecting her fortitude.
— Ron Taylor (@EmeryTrax788) October 11, 2023
Damn this is crazy but I’m actually proud of KJP for once. I’m honestly very shocked right now 1 because I said I’m proud of KJP and 2 because they are turning on each other.
— 🇺🇸Jeff Duns🇺🇸 (@JeffreyDunsmore) October 11, 2023