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The Democratic Party showed a division on Monday between those who support Israel and those who do not after the Hamas terrorist attack.
Representatives Rashida Tlaib, Ayanna Pressley, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar defended Palestine. Democratic businessman and New York City mayoral candidate Andrew Yang said Israel should be supported. Yang was joined by his main opponent within the Democratic Party, also a New York mayoral candidate, Eric Adams.
Yang assured that the Israelis are subjected to terrorism and maintained that New Yorkers will always support those who persevere in the face of attacks. “I’m standing with the people of Israel who are coming under bombardment attacks, and condemn the Hamas terrorists,” Yang wrote on Twitter.
Similar was the message from Adams, who stressed that the ties between New York and Israel are unbreakable. “Israelis live under the constant threat of terrorism and war and New York City’s bond with Israel remains unbreakable. I stand shoulder to shoulder with the people Israel at this time of crisis,” Adams stated.
For her part, Democratic Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib assured that many Americans are silent when, in her opinion, the Palestinians are attacked. “I see some who were silent as Palestinians were ripped from their homes and tear gassed in their holiest mosques now finding their voices,” Tlaib said.
Tlaib also referred to statements made by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in which he urged a cessation of the attack from Gaza into Israel. The congresswoman stressed that Blinken’s comments “aren’t working” and mentioned that Congress should condition the resources earmarked for the Israelis.
“American taxpayer money is being used to commit human rights violations. Congress must condition the aid we send to Israel, and end it altogether if those conditions are not followed,” he wrote in a separate tweet.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez shared a similar message. “We stand in solidarity with the Palestinian residents of Sheikh Jarrah in East Jerusalem,” she tweeted.
Terrorist attack and the Democratic administration’s position
Meanwhile, Joe Biden’s administration maintained a more neutral tone. White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki explained that they are observing the situation. She also indicated that they are concerned about the clashes. However, she did not offer further details on the position of the Democratic Government.
Hamas launched a rocket attack against Israel on Monday, killing two women by the direct impact of the missiles on their homes; the Israeli government responded with air strikes throughout the Gaza Strip, where 20 people, including nine children, were killed in the fighting.
