Motortion/Getty Images The House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a resolution on Tuesday that condemned antisemitism and rejected allegations that Israel is a racist apartheid state.
The resolution, which passed 412-9-1, stated: “Israel is not a racist or apartheid state, Congress rejects all forms of antisemitism and xenophobia, & the United States will always be a staunch partner and supporter of Israel.” The members of Congress that voted no were Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Cori Bush (D-MO), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Andre Carson (D-IN) and Delia Ramirez (D-IL). Representative Betty McCollum (D-MI) was the sole abstention.
412-9-1: House approved a resolution expressing Congressional support for Israel.Resolution states “Israel is not a racist or apartheid state, Congress rejects all forms of antisemitism and xenophobia, & the United States will always be a staunch partner and supporter of Israel." pic.twitter.com/B0kG37oo70
— Craig Caplan (@CraigCaplan) July 18, 2023
Here’s who voted NO:@AOC @RepRashida @IlhanMN @JamaalBowmanNY @repdeliaramirez @CoriBush @RepSummerLee@RepAndreCarson @RepPressley
— Jackson Richman (@jacksonrichman) July 18, 2023
Jewish groups praised the resolution’s passage.
“ADL welcomes the overwhelming, bipartisan passage of this resolution rejecting all forms of #antisemitism and supporting the U.S-Israel relationship,” the Anti-Defamation League tweeted. “We look forward to attending President @Isaac_Herzog’s address to Congress tomorrow.”
ADL welcomes the overwhelming, bipartisan passage of this resolution rejecting all forms of #antisemitism and supporting the U.S-Israel relationship. We look forward to attending President @Isaac_Herzog's address to Congress tomorrow. https://t.co/crrBrW8lWA
— ADL (@ADL) July 18, 2023
Democratic Majority for Israel (DMFI) said in a statement, “On the eve of Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s historic address to a joint session of Congress, we applaud the overwhelming majority of House Democrats for voting in favor of a resolution affirming that Israel is not a ‘racist or apartheid’ state, condemning antisemitism and xenophobia, and expressing support for the U.S.-Israel relationship. DMFI is dedicated to ensuring the Democratic Party remains pro-Israel and this vote is a clear signal that our party remains exactly that—pro-Israel. We’re pleased that 92% of House Democrats voted to support Israel.”
The Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) said in a statement that “multiple House Democrats voted against the resolution” and asked, “How could any member of Congress oppose this resolution?” The RJC also accused the Democratic leadership of refusing “to hold these radicals accountable.”
The Hill reported that the resolution’s sponsor, Representative August Pfluger (R-TX), said on the floor of the House, “We’ve heard disgusting statements from other members of the aisle against Israel. From my standpoint, we look at Israel as the most important partner in the Middle East. And tomorrow, in fact, as we welcome President Herzog to this very body, to the United States, to a joint address of Congress, it’s critical for the U.S. congress to send a unified message that we stand with Israel and that we unequivocally support our Jewish communities. There is no place for hate, for hateful words.” Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) sparked a firestorm of criticism after calling Israel “a racist state” on Saturday; she subsequently walked those comments back, claiming that she was referring to the policies and some members of the Israeli government as racist, not Israel itself.
Tlaib spoke out in opposition to the resolution on the House floor, calling Israel “an apartheid state” and accusing the Israeli government of being “deeply problematic in the way that they are proceeding in the structure of oppression.”
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