Squad member Rashida Tlaib slams the ‘violent reality’ of Israeli ‘apartheid’ in the wake of attack that left 700 dead – one day after AOC and Ilhan Omar called for ceasefire after surprise offensive

Michigan Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib criticized Israel’s “occupation” of Gaza and the West Bank, writing that she mourned the lives lost in the violence that followed Hamas’ unprecedented attack on Israel over the weekend.

Tlaib, a third-term Palestinian-American congresswoman, did not specifically condemn the Iranian-backed Palestinian terror group Hamas, which was responsible for the shocking attack that rocked Israel on Saturday morning.

2,000 rockets were fired into Israeli cities and a ground attack that involved the kidnapping, torture and killing of women, children and the elderly by militant Palestinian terrorists.

‘I mourn the Palestinian and Israeli lives lost yesterday, today and every day. As always, I am determined to fight for a just future where everyone can live in peace, without fear and with true freedom, equal rights and human dignity,” Tlaib wrote in her statement.

‘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.’

Tlaib called Israel an ‘apartheid’ state and criticized the United States for providing ‘billions of unconditional funding to support the apartheid government’.

While that support continues, she wrote, “this heartbreaking cycle of violence will continue,” blaming both the United States and Israel for the actions of Hamas that left 700 Israelis dead and thousands more injured and missing.

‘The failure to recognize the violent reality of life under siege, occupation and apartheid does not make anyone safer. No person, no child anywhere should suffer or live in fear of violence. We cannot ignore the humanity in each other,” she added.

Tlaib has made controversial comments about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict throughout her time in public office. She has previously condemned Israel’s policy on settlements in the West Bank and around the Gaza Strip.

Tlaib is also a member of “The Squad,” which consists of several progressive women in the Democratic Congressional Caucus.

Fellow member Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri boycotted Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s joint address to Congress over the summer, and on Saturday issued a statement urging the US to end its support for “Israeli military occupation and apartheid.”

Minnesota representative Ilhan Omar, another team member and, along with Tlaib, one of the first Muslim women elected to Congress, did identify Hamas in her condemnation of the violence in Israel.

“I condemn the terrible acts that we see unfolding in Israel today against children, women, the elderly and the unarmed people who are being slaughtered and taken hostage by Hamas.”

“Such senseless violence will only repeat the back-and-forth cycle we’ve seen,” she wrote.

She also spoke out compassion for the people in the Palestinian enclave of the Gaza Strip.

“Reminder, Gaza does not have shelters or an iron dome and please pray for them,” the progressive lawmaker wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “May peace prevail in the region and we move towards a moral awakening to care about the human suffering we see. Palestinians are a people under siege who deserve protection from the international community.’

Some were moved to remind Omar that Hamas, the democratically elected leaders of Gaza, should have considered spending government funds on shelters instead of rockets used to attack Israel.

Other team members, including Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, called for an “immediate ceasefire and de-escalation” in the region.

“Today is devastating for all who seek lasting peace and respect for human rights. I condemn Hamas’ attack in the strongest possible terms. No child and family should ever have to endure this kind of violence and fear, and this violence will not solve the ongoing oppression and occupation in the region,’ AOC wrote.

Representative Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts said: ‘These devastating attacks on Israelis are deeply troubling and my heart breaks for the victims and their loved ones. We need an immediate ceasefire and de-escalation. It is long past time to stop this cycle of violence and trauma, and work towards a just and lasting peace in the region.’

Her statement was criticized for denying the need for Israel to defend itself.

“The group says Israel must stand back after being attacked and hundreds of its citizens massacred,” one X user responded to the statement.

Rep. Jamaal Bowman 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 live in constant fear. We must work harder to ensure peace in the region.’

Conservative radio host Jason Rantz responded: ‘Bowman cannot simply condemn terrorism. He should include his ignorant criticism of Israel.’

Hamas’ surprise attack on Saturday morning came just one day after the 50th anniversary of the start of the Yom Kippur War, which saw Israel combat existential threats from hostile neighbors led by Egypt and Syria.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately declared a state of war and has since vowed “mighty revenge” on Israel’s attackers that will end in victory for his country.

Israel’s military has begun bombing key Hamas sites in the Gaza Strip and has issued warnings to civilians in certain regions to leave before a wave of retaliatory attacks begins.