Pushing back against progressive members of the U.S. House who continue to politically target and attack Israel, one of America’s closest allies, the joint House Democratic Leadership issued a statement supporting the Jewish and Democratic nation.
Recently, Representative Pramila Jayapal, chairwoman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, apologized for calling Israel a “racist state.”
After the controversial remarks from their fellow Democrat and prior to Israeli President Isaac Herzog addressing Congress, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar and Vice Chair Ted Lieu released this statement:
“Israel is not a racist state.
As a Jewish and Democratic nation, Israel was founded 75 years ago on the principle of complete equality of social and political rights for all of its citizens irrespective of religion, race or sex, as codified in its Declaration of Independence.
America and Israel have a uniquely special relationship anchored in our shared democratic values and strategic interests. As House Democratic leaders, we strongly support Israel’s right to exist as a homeland for the Jewish people. We are also firmly committed to a robust two-state solution where Israel and the Palestinian people can live side by side in peace and prosperity.
Certainly, there are individual members of the current Israeli governing coalition with whom we strongly disagree. That is also the case with respect to some on the other side of the aisle who we serve with in the United States Congress.
Government officials come and go. The special relationship between the United States and Israel will endure. We are determined to make sure support for Israel in the Congress remains strongly bipartisan.
Our commitment to a safe and secure Israel as an invaluable partner, ally and beacon of democracy in the Middle East is ironclad. We look forward to welcoming Israeli President Isaac Herzog to the United States House of Representatives this week.”
