Progressives face backlash over response to Israel attacks – The Hill
Progressives are facing backlash over their initial responses to the attacks on Israel by Hamas militants, revealing the degree to which they’re at odds with others in the Democratic caucus over the issue.
Members of the Squad such as Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) and Cori Bush (D-Mo.) took heat from fellow Democrats this week over statements criticized for being too tepid in the wake of the violent attacks against Israeli civilians.
Meanwhile, after mounting pressure, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) condemned the “bigotry and callousness” at a pro-Palestinian rally aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) in New York City.
The condemnation directed at certain segments of the left underscores the fissures within the Democratic Party when it comes to Israel. It also suggests progressives will have to navigate an increasingly difficult political environment in which they will be expected to unequivocally support Israel’s right to exist while also advocating for Palestinian rights.
“The challenge is to continue to respond, as I think a lot of progressive members have already done … to acknowledge the common humanity of all of us, of both people,” Matt Duss, a former senior foreign policy adviser to Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), told The Hill.
“We’re going to be getting to a moment where some people are going to be required to show real courage and take a page from Congresswoman Barbara Lee in the wake of 9/11,” said Duss, referring to the California progressive’s vote against the invasion of Afghanistan.
“To say, let’s think about this a little bit. We could be starting something that we’re not quite ready for, quite sure about,” he said.
Bush and Tlaib, the only Palestinian American in Congress, were among the most harshly criticized in the immediate aftermath of the initial wave of attacks in Israel. Tlaib suggested withholding United States support to fund Israel’s “apartheid government,” a comment that infuriated fellow lawmakers who found it offensive as the death toll continued to rise. She also categorized the terrorist attack as part of a “resistance” effort.
Bush, an equally outspoken House progressive, echoed Tlaib’s sentiments.
Some voices on the left saw their public remarks as appropriate calls for de-escalation that recognized the plight of both sides. They argued for an acknowledgment of suffering among civilians in both camps and denounced Hamas as a terrorist organization.
“Rep. Tlaib and Rep. Bush both issued statements that mourned the loss of Israeli and Palestinian civilian lives, and then said we need to address the root causes of violence to get to peace, and they are now being attacked,” said Beth Miller, the political director of Jewish Voice for Peace Action, a progressive Jewish group.
Thank you for signing up!
Subscribe to more newsletters here
The latest in politics and policy. Direct to your inbox. Sign up for the Evening Report newsletter
But others in the party were enraged by the statements. Some of the Democratic caucus’s most pro-Israel members, including Reps. Ritchie Torres (N.Y.) and Josh Gottheimer (N.J.), expressed their full disapproval.
“Shame on anyone who glorifies as ‘resistance’ the largest single-day mass murder of Jews since the Holocaust,” Torres said, calling the statement “reprehensible and repulsive.”
The mounting pushback came as Israelis publicly mourned the severity of the ambush as videos showing the atrocities — many of them inflicted on women and children — spread across social media.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the attack by Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, had left more than 1,200 Israelis dead, starting a war in which more than 2,300 people have been killed in total. The U.S. government said that 22 U.S. citizens had been killed in the conflict, and 17 were still unaccounted for.
In a sign of the growing pressure on progressives, Ocasio-Cortez earlier this week criticized the DSA-aligned rally in New York City’s Times Square, a stance that came after she was chided for supporting a ceasefire.
The rally, which was held in support of Palestinians, drew swift rebukes from leaders across the political spectrum. Ocasio-Cortez, whose district is not far from where the protests were held, eventually released a statement condemning it.
“The bigotry and callousness expressed in Times Square on Sunday were unacceptable and harmful in this devastating moment,” Ocasio-Cortez said in a statement reported by Politico. “It also did not speak for the thousands of New Yorkers who are capable of rejecting both Hamas’ horrifying attacks against innocent civilians as well as the grave injustices and violence Palestinians face under occupation.”
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) speaks during a House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing for the basis of the impeachment inquiry of President Biden on Thursday, September 28, 2023.
The clash between DSA affiliates and its usual allies such as Ocasio-Cortez highlights the delicate nature of the issue and its evolution on the left. While Democrats are reliable allies of Israel, the party has seen cracks in its support, as many on the progressive left have also pushed for Palestinian rights.
Duss said conversations are already happening between progressive lawmakers and outside advocates about addressing the conflict in a constructive and nuanced way — a potential uphill battle given the severity of the situation on the ground.
“This horror is very fresh. We’re still learning more about this hour by hour. It keeps getting more awful,” he said. “I do think people are thinking about ways to talk about this in the most constructive way possible.”
“Even in ‘normal’ times, this is a difficult discussion to have. It is far more difficult now for obvious reasons,” Duss added.
Sanders, who is Jewish and has sometimes clashed with pro-Israel Democrats, released a statement Wednesday addressing the conflict. He said Hamas committed a “terrorist assault on Israel” that could have “horrific short- and long-term consequences.”
His position — which included a reference to “justice for the Palestinian people” and called Israel’s tactics in response to the attack “a serious violation of international law” — went further than others in the Senate.
“Longer term, this attack is a major setback for any hope of peace and reconciliation in the region — and justice for the Palestinian people. For years, people of good will throughout the world, including some brave Israelis, have struggled against the blockade of Gaza, the daily humiliations of occupation in the West Bank, and the horrendous living conditions faced by so many Palestinians,” the Vermont senator wrote.
Some progressive Jewish activists say Capitol Hill Democrats should formally emphasize de-escalation and are looking to members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, the top body of elected liberals in the House, to lead the way.
“It has never been so important that we fight harder, because it just got a lot steeper,” said Miller, whose group is in regular communication with lawmakers. “And that means we need to be louder.”
Blurring the lines further among the left flank, other progressive officeholders offered staunch support for Israel.
Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and John Fetterman (D-Pa.) went further than other Senate progressives for Israel, with Warren tearing up while discussing the devastating losses and Fetterman making it clear that he is in support of Israel “neutralizing the terrorists responsible for this barbarism.”
Meanwhile, many Democrats applauded President Biden’s speech Tuesday, in which he called the Hamas terrorist attack “pure, unadulterated evil” and reconfirmed his administration’s unwavering support for Israel.
In progressive circles, there is also hope that he and the administration will also acknowledge the struggles of Palestinians and are pushing for a conversation around de-escalation both in Congress and on Pennsylvania Ave. It’s their goal for that discussion to happen sooner than later.
“I understand you want to show complete support and sympathy for the Israelis,” said Duss, who added that the severity of the moment means the president should speak to the full depth of his country’s diversity.
“This is a president who has taken important steps to address issues of racial injustice and equality. I think a lot of progressives just want him to extend that to foreign policy,” he said.
Read more:
Progressives face backlash over response to Israel attacks - The Hill
- Progressives push Biden administration to cut ties with Missouri student loan servicer Missouri Independent - Missouri Independent - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Biden wants progressives to believe hes reining in Israel. He isnt - The Guardian - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Problems with Progressivism and Populism - Econlib - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Border bill boxes in Senate progressives as Schumer forges ahead with doomed vote - Washington Examiner - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Four progressives vie to replace the longest-serving NM state rep Source New Mexico - Source New Mexico - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Squeezed by Progressives and the pro-Israel Camp, Does Biden Have a Problem With American-Jewish Voters? - U.S. ... - Haaretz - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Boulder Progressives will host meet-and-greet with primary candidates - Boulder Daily Camera - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Boulder Progressives to Host Primary Candidate Meet-and-Greet and Audience Q&A - Yellow Scene Magazine - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Opinion | The Supreme Court makes a dangerous ruling, delighting progressives - The Washington Post - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Progressives Need to Take the Gloves Off and Play Hardball with Our Rogue Supreme Court - Justia Verdict - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Progressives launch campaign to get upstate cities to opt in to 'good cause' law - City & State New York - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Commentary: Progressives are behind the wrong policies | Opinion - The Bulletin - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Progressive Prosecutor in Portland Faces Bitter Challenge From Co-Worker - The New York Times - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Will the Progressive Left Bury the Two-State Solution For Good? - Commentary Magazine - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Progressives warn young voters, as Biden's polling lags - Spectrum News NY1 - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- 'Vox' Wants Progressives To Support Free Speech For The Wrong Reasons - Reason - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Progressives Routed In Oregons Democratic Primary As Jayapals Sister And Portlands DA Rejected - Mediaite - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Nellie Bowles book: Who are the 'New Progressives'? - Deseret News - May 23rd, 2024 [May 23rd, 2024]
- Why Medicare for All is off the table for progressives, for now - Axios - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Fetterman: Progressives who dont vote will own tragedy of second Trump term - The Hill - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Pistol-Packin' Progressives - WSJ - The Wall Street Journal - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- John Fetterman will speak at Florida Democratic Party gala. Progressives want it cancelled. - The Philadelphia Inquirer - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Mass. AG Campbell to helm progressives reproductive rights working group - MassLive.com - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Medicare for All absent from progressives' agenda - Axios - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Opinion | The progressives won again - Alabama Political Reporter - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Kennedy: Biden's In A Bit Of A Pickle With Progressives In His Party Right Now - FOX News Radio - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Dem Lawmaker Speaks Fierce Logic On Trump That He Wants Progressives To Hear - HuffPost - May 9th, 2024 [May 9th, 2024]
- Progressives are wrong on Hamas rape denials - Newsday - March 11th, 2024 [March 11th, 2024]
- Pramila Jayapal State of the Union preview: Joe Biden needs to speak to progressives. - Slate - March 11th, 2024 [March 11th, 2024]
- Schiffs big win sinks powerhouse progressives - MSNBC - March 11th, 2024 [March 11th, 2024]
- Progressives Explain What They Want Out Of Biden's Big Speech - Crooked - March 11th, 2024 [March 11th, 2024]
- Declaring the end of progressive San Francisco is a bit premature - 48 hills - 48 Hills - March 11th, 2024 [March 11th, 2024]
- Schiff Beats Out Split Progressives On Glide Path To California Senate Seat - TPM - March 11th, 2024 [March 11th, 2024]
- Progressive Wins and Losses in Texas' Super Tuesday Primary - Progress Texas - March 11th, 2024 [March 11th, 2024]
- Progressives Win Two Texas District Attorney Races - Yahoo! Voices - March 11th, 2024 [March 11th, 2024]
- AOC walks tightrope between moderates, progressives during State of the Union speech - wpde.com - March 11th, 2024 [March 11th, 2024]
- State of the Union 2024: Progressive 'Squad' turns up heat on Biden with demands ahead of speech - Washington Examiner - March 11th, 2024 [March 11th, 2024]
- Sen. John Fetterman says 'progressives left me' as he urges action to secure border: 'There is a crisis' - New York Post - January 22nd, 2024 [January 22nd, 2024]
- Fetterman continues his feud with progressive Democrats and says they 'left' him - Washington Examiner - January 22nd, 2024 [January 22nd, 2024]
- The quandary for progressive Jews - New York Daily News - January 22nd, 2024 [January 22nd, 2024]
- Why these progressives want ex-Rep. Andy Levin to run against Biden - Detroit News - January 22nd, 2024 [January 22nd, 2024]
- Letter: I favor conservatives over progressives - The Dispatch Argus - January 22nd, 2024 [January 22nd, 2024]
- Progressives in Iceland intensify campaign against Israels genocidal war in Gaza - Peoples Dispatch - January 22nd, 2024 [January 22nd, 2024]
- Editorial: Biden must resist call to appease progressives - Boston Herald - January 22nd, 2024 [January 22nd, 2024]
- Can Gov. Hochul stand up to progressives | Commentary | oleantimesherald.com - Olean Times Herald - January 22nd, 2024 [January 22nd, 2024]
- Green energy was 2023's biggest loser. Will Biden and progressives wake up in 2024? - Fox News - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
- What progressives get wrong about Winston Churchill - The Spectator - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
- Divided progressives are the best friends a Conservative leader could have - Toronto Star - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
- Burlington Progressives Pick Two More Candidates for March Ballot - Seven Days - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
- Are Young People Actually Progressive? - New York Magazine - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
- Democrats and progressives react to Gov. Scott's State of the State - WPTZ - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
- Let's Seize This Opportunity to Destroy Harvard! - The Intercept - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
- Is nothing good enough? Phoebe Maltz Bovy on why some progressives are mad at the young Israeli refusing to serve ... - The Canadian Jewish News - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
- Progressivism's Breakdown over Israel and Jews | Joshua Davidson | The Blogs - The Times of Israel - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
- Normalising the far right: a warning from Austria - Social Europe - January 3rd, 2024 [January 3rd, 2024]
- AIPAC vs. The Squad: Pro-Israel Group to Spend $100M to Target Progressives in 2024 - Democracy Now! - January 3rd, 2024 [January 3rd, 2024]
- Opinion | For Wisconsin progressives, 2023 was a very good year - The Capital Times - January 3rd, 2024 [January 3rd, 2024]
- Abundance Progressives: A New Ideological Shift - BNN Breaking - January 3rd, 2024 [January 3rd, 2024]
- Progressives need to get real about Trump, democracy and the Supreme Court - The Hill - December 30th, 2023 [December 30th, 2023]
- Democrats get ready to ditch the progressives - The Times - December 30th, 2023 [December 30th, 2023]
- Actor Brett Gelman joins Eretz Nehederet to skewer US progressives - The Times of Israel - December 30th, 2023 [December 30th, 2023]
- MICHELLE GOLDBERG: What's driving former progressives to the right? - Indiana Gazette - December 30th, 2023 [December 30th, 2023]
- Joe Biden Is a 'Dictator' and 'Worse Than Trump': Progressive Activist - Newsweek - December 30th, 2023 [December 30th, 2023]
- Greek progressives deal ruling New Democracy severe blow in local elections - EURACTIV - October 17th, 2023 [October 17th, 2023]
- Progressives, as much as Conservatives, ought to adjust their ideas to fit actual facts - Daily Kos - October 17th, 2023 [October 17th, 2023]
- AOC and two fellow NY progressives back formal plea for ceasefire ... - New York Daily News - October 17th, 2023 [October 17th, 2023]
- Poland's voters turn fear into a stunning win for progressives - Tortoise - Tortoise Media - October 17th, 2023 [October 17th, 2023]
- Some progressives split with Biden and the Democrats on ... - The Boston Globe - October 17th, 2023 [October 17th, 2023]
- COLUMN: Schools, progressives must realize kids belong to parents - Oil City Derrick - October 17th, 2023 [October 17th, 2023]
- Scott hits Biden, progressives over response to Hamas attacks in Israel - The Hill - October 17th, 2023 [October 17th, 2023]
- Bergus: A model white progressive for Black justice in Iowa City - The Gazette - October 17th, 2023 [October 17th, 2023]
- Capitol Police Brief Progressives On Security Measures Amid Rise ... - Yahoo News - October 17th, 2023 [October 17th, 2023]
- Why Pittsburgh & Allegheny County progressives keep winning elections - 90.5 WESA - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- How Progressives Won and Lost in Purple Pennsylvania - The Intercept - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- Progressives gird for battle as permitting talks escalate - E&E News - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- Philadelphia mayoral race 2023: What to know about the May 16 Democratic primary - Vox.com - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- Bidens 14th Amendment message to progressives: It aint gonna happen - Yahoo News - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- Medicare for All bill revived by House and Senate progressives - Healthcare Finance News - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- Douglas Rooks: On economic issues, progressives are missing in ... - Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]
- Maine Media, Progressives Get Migrant Crisis Wrong - The Maine Wire - May 20th, 2023 [May 20th, 2023]