Not at all surprisingly to those who have kept up with their online antics over the years and who know their general stances on Israel and Palestine, the members of the hyper-progressive “Squad” have equivocate at best and sided with Palestine at worst following the Hamas attacks on Israel over the weekend, leading to sharp criticism from Republicans, including Lindsey Graham.
As background, Hamas launched a lighting raid on Israel on Saturday, raiding towns and communities near Gaza while bombarding much of Israel with its rockets. Following the attacks, many of the “Squad” Democrats released statements on the situation that were less condemnatory of Hamas than many hoped.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib, for her part, said, “I grieve 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. The path to that future must include lifting the blockade, ending the occupation, and dismantling the apartheid system that creates the suffocating, dehumanizing conditions that can lead to resistance.”
Continuing, she added, “The failure to recognize the violent reality of living under siege, occupation, and apartheid makes no one safer. No person, no child anywhere should have to suffer or live in fear of violence. We cannot ignore the humanity in each other. As long as our country provides billions in unconditional funding to support the apartheid government, this heartbreaking cycle of violence will continue.”
Similarly, Squad member Cori Bush said, “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. I strongly condemn the targeting of civilians and I urge an immediate ceasefire and de-escalation to prevent further loss of life.”
She continued, “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. 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. I am continuing to closely monitor the situation and my Office is ready to support residents of the First District with family members and loved ones in the region.”
Speaking to “America Reports” co-host Sandra Smith, Sen. Graham said, “To the squad, shut the hell up. You’re emboldening the enemy, you are a disgrace to the United States Congress. You are siding with terrorists over a democracy called Israel. You have lost your perspective here. I am confident most Democrats do not agree with the squad.”
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Watch Sen. Graham here:
Most Squad members equivocated more than Bush and Tlaib. Bowman, for instance, said, “I strongly condemn the horrific attacks by Hamas and am saddened by the loss of precious lives, especially on the holy day of Simchat Torah. We need a way to end this deadly violence that is killing and traumatizing generations of Israelis and Palestinians alike-including the blockade of Gaza. I have been to the Gaza border and know that Israelis and Palestinians are constantly living in fear. We must work harder to ensure peace in the region. As new information continues to emerge, my team and I will be following this closely especially since several of our Westchester service members are in the area of the attacks.“