Israeli President Isaac Herzog said US lawmakers who question the right of the Jewish state are “anti-Semitic.”
In a fiery address to a joint session of Congress, Herzog acknowledged the criticism of Israel, but said the “new generation” of US leaders need to understand the importance of the bond between the two countries.
Progressive Democrats continue to criticize the Jewish state, and several members of the so-called “squad” skipped his remarks on Wednesday.
“I am not aware of the criticism from friends, including some from respected members of this House,” Herzog said in his remarks. “I respect criticism, especially from friends, although you don’t always have to accept it.”
But criticism of Israel should not cross the border into denial of the right to exist of the State of Israel. Questioning the Jewish people’s right to self-determination is not legitimate diplomacy, it is anti-Semitism,” he stressed.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog slammed members of Congress for crossing the line of criticizing ‘anti-Semitism’ towards the Jewish state
Herzog’s claim was immediately supported by the conspicuous absence of members of Congress critical of Israel’s existence, showing the blatant anti-Semitism they have historically been accused of espousing.
Herzog’s remarks come on the heels of Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash, calling Israel a “racist state.”
Palestinian Representative Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., a member of the “squad,” tweeted Sunday that she will skip Herzog’s comments.
Also conspicuously absent from the House Chamber on Wednesday were Reps. Jayapal, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D.N.Y., and Ilhan Omar, D-Minn.
Herzog called the relationship with the US “mutually beneficial” and shared his concerns that the “new generations” of Americans who are becoming leaders in Congress are not “aware of the rigors of Israel’s formative years” and are “less involved in the roots that unite our peoples’. .’
When the United States is strong, Israel is stronger. And when Israel is strong, the United States is safer,” Herzog said.
Notably absent from the House Chamber on Wednesday were members of the progressive “squad,” including Representatives AOC, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib and Pramila Jayapal, all of whom have been accused of anti-Semitism in the past
Tlaib posted an image on the steps of the Capitol on Sunday announcing she would boycott Herzog’s remarks before Congress
Tlaib wrote on Twitter on Sunday: “In solidarity with the Palestinian people and all those harmed by Israel’s apartheid government, I will boycott President Herzog’s joint speech to Congress. I urge all congressmen who stand up for human rights for all to join me.”
“In solidarity with the Palestinian people and all those harmed by Israel’s apartheid government, I will boycott President Herzog’s joint address to Congress,” she wrote. “I urge all congressmen who stand up for human rights for all to join me.”
Included in the tweet is an image of Tlaib standing on the steps of the Capitol with a sign reading, “Boycott Apartheid.”
Democrats are clearly divided on their support for the Jewish state. Rep. Jerry Nadler waved a miniature Israeli flag from his seat in front of Herzog, while other members of his party didn’t even attend the remarks.
Also on display in the room are the Republican Party’s continued rifts, with Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., and Lauren Boebert, R-Col., standing on nearly opposite ends of their party’s side of the room.
Herzog met with a series of lawmakers and leaders in Washington, D.C. this week on a trip to the US to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the state of Israel.
Prior to his remarks, Herzog met with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and President Joe Biden on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, over the weekend, progressive Jayapal was forced to backtrack on comments claiming that Israel is a “racist” state, after strong opposition from even members of her own party.
Herzog claimed that Iran is one of the greatest threats to the Middle East and the national security of the world order, saying ‘Let there be no doubt – Iran does not seek to acquire nuclear energy for peaceful purposes’
In a statement Monday, 43 congressional Democrats condemned her comments.
“We are deeply concerned by Representative Pramila Jayapal’s unacceptable comments about our historic, democratic ally Israel, and appreciate her retraction,” they wrote. “Israel is the legitimate homeland of the Jewish people and attempts to delegitimize and demonize it are not only dangerous and anti-Semitic, but they also undermine America’s national security.”
Herzog struck a chord with both sides of the Chamber on Wednesday when he claimed, “Mr. Speaker, perhaps the biggest challenge Israel and the United States are facing right now is the Iranian nuclear program.”
“Let there be no doubt — Iran is not pursuing nuclear energy for peaceful purposes,” he added to a thunderous standing ovation from lawmakers.
On Sunday, Jaypal issued a lengthy statement still defending the sentiment behind her comments by claiming that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is racist.
“Words matter, so it’s important that I clarify my statement,” the president of the Congressional Progressive Caucus wrote. “I do not believe that the idea of Israel as a nation is racist.”
“However, I believe that Netanyahu’s far-right government has engaged in discriminatory and outright racist policies and that there are extreme racists driving those policies within the leadership of the current government,” she added.
She apologized “to those I have hurt with my words” and said she was merely trying to “defuse a tense situation” with her comments at the weekend’s progressive Netroots Nation conference.
Jayapal made her remarks when she tried to placate a Palestinian-flagging group at conference last week who said Democrats in Congress are not doing enough to help Palestinians gain autonomy from Israel.
Rep. Jayapal was forced to backtrack on comments she made at the progressive Netroots Nation conference where she called Israel a “racist state”
“Hey guys, can I say something as someone who has been on the street and participated in many demonstrations? I want you to know that we fought to make it clear that Israel is a racist state, that the Palestinian people deserve self-determination and autonomy, that the dream of a two-state solution eludes us, that it doesn’t even feel possible,” she said.
“While you may argue with whether or not some of us on stage fight hard enough, I want you to know that there is an organized opposition on the other side, and it’s not the people who are on this stage added Jayapal.
Republican Third House Representative Elise Stefanik tweeted, “Israel is NOT a racist state.”
House Republicans condemn Rep.’s blatant anti-Semitic and anti-Israel remarks. Jayapal and condemn House Democrats’ failure to address entrenched anti-Semitism in the Democratic Caucus,” the New York legislature added.