Progressive Democrats rushed to blame ISRAEL for Gaza hospital strike as they call bombing a ‘war crime’ and demand a ceasefire
Progressive lawmakers blame Israel for bombing a hospital in Gaza — even as the Jewish state insists it was not behind the attack and President Joe Biden says he will find out who carried out the attack.
The bombing killed at least 500 Palestinians and sparked outrage among Democrats who claimed Israel had committed a war crime by targeting a hospital.
It also threw Biden’s trip to the Middle East into chaos. A planned meeting in the Jordanian capital Amman with the king of Jordan and the presidents of Egypt and Palestine was canceled due to the fallout from the deadly airstrike.
The attack comes amid fallout after the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas launched a brutal attack on Israel last week, which has since killed at least 1,400 of its citizens. October 7, the first day of the attack, resulted in the largest murder of Jewish people in a single day since the Holocaust.
Israel quickly began retaliatory strikes against Hamas, the de facto government of the Palestinian enclave in the Gaza Strip.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib, the first Palestinian American woman elected to Congress, left Democrats outraged by the attack — and pointing the finger at President Joe Biden for his continued support of the Jewish state.
Progressive Democratic lawmakers rushed to blame Israel for the explosion at a Palestinian hospital in Gaza that killed 500 — but the Jewish state insists it was not behind the attack and President Joe Biden vowed to get to the bottom of the matter to search
Representative Rashida Tlaib (left) is the first Palestinian-American member of Congress. She and Rep. Ilhan Omar helped direct the outrage over the deadly attack and finger-pointing toward Israel
“Israel just bombed the Baptist Hospital, killing 500 Palestinians (doctors, children, patients),” Repai (D-Mich.) wrote on X.
“(Biden) this is what happens when you refuse to enable a ceasefire and help de-escalate,” she added in the post. “Your approach to war and destruction has opened my eyes and many Palestinian Americans and Muslim Americans like me. We will remember where you stood.”
Biden is in Israel this week to meet with leaders amid violence between Israel and Hamas terrorists. He and other U.S. leaders have made their position known and supported Israel’s right to counterattack but have condemned any targeted attacks on civilians.
Meanwhile, progressives like Tlaib have called for a ceasefire, which many see as their demand that Israel abandon its defense against the Hamas attack.
In a separate post on
It is classified as a war crime by the United Nations if a government ‘intentionally attacks buildings dedicated to religion, education, the arts, science or charity, historical monuments, hospitals and places of care for the sick and wounded, provided that they are not military objectives.’
Progressive Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar wrote online: “The bombing of a hospital is among the most serious war crimes. The IDF blowing up one of the few places where the wounded and injured during a war can seek medical treatment and shelter is abhorrent.”
Rep. Tlaib said Democrats will “remember where (Biden) stood” after he voiced his staunch support for Israel and said it is unclear who was behind the bombing of the Gaza-based hospital.
Biden visits Israel – but his plans to meet other Middle Eastern leaders during his trip were foiled when the bombing occurred during his flight to the region
“(Biden) must push for an immediate ceasefire to end this carnage,” the first woman to ever wear a hijab wrote on the floor of the House of Representatives.
Meanwhile, Pennsylvania Representative Summer Lee wrote, “There is no moral ambiguity. Bombing a hospital is reprehensible and a war crime.’
“Many have courageously spoken out about the importance of adhering to international law, even in response to horrific acts. Here’s why,” she added. “And this is why we must all demand a #CeasefireNOW.”
Biden said on Tuesday he was “outraged” by the attack on Gaza City’s al-Ahli hospital, and vowed to find out who was behind it.
The president was leaving Washington DC and was heading to Tel Aviv, Israel, at the time of the bombing.
Hamas says Israel was behind airstrike on hospital; Israel says they were Palestinian militants linked to Islamic Jihad.
Jonathan Conricus, a spokesman for the IDF, told CNN that they have compelling evidence that Israel was not behind the attack – but the evidence has not yet been published. He shared a video of what he said could be the rocket attack.
Omar again urged a “truce,” which Republicans say is code for pro-Palestinian lawmakers to push back against Israel defending itself against Hamas terrorist attacks launched last week.
Rep. Summer Lee also blamed Israel for the attack and called for a ceasefire
“I am outraged and deeply saddened by the explosion at Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza, and the terrible loss of life that resulted,” Biden said in a White House statement.
“Immediately after hearing this news, I spoke with King Abdullah II of Jordan and Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel and instructed my national security team to continue gathering information on what exactly happened.
“The United States unequivocally stands up for the protection of civilian life during conflict, and we mourn the patients, medical personnel, and other innocents killed or injured in this tragedy.”
Biden’s meeting with King Abdullah, scheduled for Wednesday afternoon in the Jordanian capital, has been canceled.
It was also thanks to me, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi.
Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi told state television that the war between Israel and Hamas was “pushing the region to the brink.” He said Jordan would only host the summit if everyone agreed its goal would be “to stop the war, respect the humanity of the Palestinians and provide the help they deserve.”
Biden will now visit Israel alone, a White House official said.