Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) was slammed by both Democrats and Republicans Sunday after calling for a “balanced” critique of the Israel-Hamas war when asked about the progressive’s silence on Hamas’ allegations of raping Israeli women.
Jayapal, the chairman of the progressive caucus, was quick to denounce sexual violence against Israeli women by Hamas militants on Oct. 7 before going on to state that Israel had killed 15,000 Palestinians — two-thirds of them women and children — during an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “
CNN host Dana Bash said she noticed that progressive women have remained largely silent about the horrific sexual assaults committed by Hamas during its deadly invasion of the Jewish State.
Jayapal replied that he did not think the accusation was entirely true.
“I think we always talk about the effects of war on women in particular… I have condemned what Hamas has done. I have condemned the act in its entirety — rape, of course,” he said before turning the conversation back to Israel and accusations that it does not comply with international humanitarian law.
“Morally, I think we cannot say that one war crime deserves another. That is not what international humanitarian law says,” said Jayapal.
Bash rejected the congressman’s deflection.
“With respect, I only asked you about the woman and you handed her back to Israel. I asked you about Hamas,” Bash said.
Bash and Jayapal had a heated exchange after the CNN host rejected Jayapal’s deflection. CNN
“I already answered your question, Dana,” replied Jayapal in a heated exchange. “I said it was horrible and I think rape was horrible. Sexual assault is horrible. I think it happens in war situations, terrorist organizations like Hamas, obviously use this as a tool.
“However, I think we need to be balanced to create anger towards the Palestinian people,” he added while bringing out the large death toll in Gaza.
Bash interjected, admitting that the mass casualties were “horrific” and again raised the case of Hamas terrorist rapes of young Israeli women.
“Okay, Dana… I don’t want this to be a hierarchy of oppression,” Jayapal said before describing the death, destruction and displacement of Palestinians in Gaza caused by Israeli airstrikes.
The Democratic defection was quickly condemned on social media.
Jayapal’s comments were slammed by both Democrats and Republicans.
CNN adviser Bianna Golodrya praised her colleague for continuing to press Jayapal during the interview.
“Jayapal repeatedly said he spoke specifically against [Hamas] sexual violence but doesn’t seem to do it, at least on X,” he tweeted. “In addition to [‘State of the Union’]he seemed to do as little criticism as possible before changing the subject.”
Conservative and former communications adviser to Ted Cruz, Steve Guest, described the clip of the interview as appalling, while Fox News anchor Jessica Tarlov said it was “beyond madness.”
“HOLY smoke. That clip is TERRIBLE. Jayapal scolds Israel: ‘If they don’t comply with international humanitarian law…’,” Guest write on X.
The backlash came from both Democrats and Republicans.
The daughter of former Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi was one of the voices speaking out.
“I shouldn’t be saying this in 2023 but here we are: RAPERS ARE RAPERS,” Attorney Christine Pelosi said in a tweet. “Don’t minimize, excuse, ‘balance’ or ‘both sides’ sexual assault – that’s victim blaming we’ve spent decades trying to overturn laws, courts and the hearts and minds of people.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
