The chairwoman of the House Progressive Caucus issued an apology after backlash arose over her comments accusing Israel of discrimination.
Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) took to Twitter on Sunday with an apology after she was captured on video at a conference in Chicago, Illinois, saying she believed Israel is a “racist state.”
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A disgraceful statement that’s particularly tone deaf when thousands of Israelis are in the streets protesting to protect their democracy. #Israel‘s previous government included Ra’am in the coalition. That’s not what a racist state does. https://t.co/l3Pyvs5DgF
— Jason Brodsky (@JasonMBrodsky) July 16, 2023
Jayapal, an ally to the progressive “Squad,” was interrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters during the Netroots Nation conference Saturday, where she stated: ”I want you to know that we have been fighting to make it clear that Israel is a racist state.”
“The Palestinian people deserve self-determination and autonomy, that the dream of a two-state solution is slipping away from us,” she continued.
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Jayapal appeared to walk back those remarks later on Sunday, and, in a statement, said: “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.”
Pramila Jayapal, the progressive leader, apologizes afer calling Israel a “racist state” on Saturday and says today: “I do not believe the idea of Israel as a nation is racist.”
Now Hakeem Jeffries and his leadership team issue a statement: “Israel is not a racist state.” pic.twitter.com/w4rPljxQG3— Manu Raju (@mkraju) July 17, 2023
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“The Palestinian people deserve self-determination and autonomy, that the dream of a two-state solution is slipping away from us,” she continued.
The congresswoman has since shifted her tone — instead accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of “extreme right-wing” policies.
