CNN anchor Dana Bash urged progressive Congresswoman Pramilla Jayapal to condemn Hamas’s barbaric use of sexual violence against Israeli women during the October 7 massacre.
Jayapal, a Washington state representative and member of the so-called “Squad,” said she had previously spoken out against Hamas’s brutal crimes against women before returning to a talking point aimed at Israel.
“I would like to ask you about the issue of sexual violence, and it is remarkable that this issue is not receiving enough attention around the world.” “Rape, brutal rape and sexual violence against Israeli women by Hamas are widespread,” Bash said during a recording the CNN show “State of the Union.”
“I have seen many progressive women generally quick to defend women’s rights and speak out against the use of rape as a weapon of war, but remain completely silent about what we saw on October 7th. And what could be.” What is currently happening to these hostages in the Gaza Strip. Why this?’
Jayapal replied, “I don’t know if that’s true.” “I think we always talk about the impact of war on women in particular,” she stressed, emphasizing that she strongly condemned the actions of Hamas terrorists.
“But I think we have to remember that Israel is a democracy. That’s why they are a strong ally of ours,” Jayapal continued.
She continued: “And if they don’t comply with international humanitarian law, they put themselves in a place that makes it strategically much more difficult for them to build allies, keep public opinion with them and, frankly, morally, we cannot say that one war crime deserves another. That’s not what international humanitarian law says.”
In October, Jayapal voted “present” on a House resolution supporting Israel after the Hamas attacks.
She was previously forced to apologize after facing backlash for calling the Israeli government “racist.”
Responding to her comments on Sunday, Bash confronted Jayapal for her inability to stay on topic when discussing Hamas’ sex crimes.
“With all due respect, I just asked about the women and you gave it back to Israel. “I’m asking you about Hamas,” Bash said.
“I already answered your question, Dana,” the representative replied. “I said it was terrible and I think rape is terrible.” Sexual assault is terrible. I think it happens in war situations.
“Terror organizations like Hamas obviously use these as tools. However, I think we need to be balanced in dealing with the riots against the Palestinians. Israeli airstrikes have killed 15,000 Palestinians, three-quarters of whom are women and children.”
“And it’s terrible,” Bash said. “But you don’t see Israeli soldiers raping Palestinian women.”
“I don’t want these to be the hierarchies of oppression,” the congresswoman said. “This is not the way we are going to defeat terrorism.”
Pictures of 26-year-old Israeli Noa Argamani show her being kidnapped in Gaza on October 7th
On the day that more than 1,200 Israelis were killed and hundreds kidnapped, radical Palestinian terrorists also indiscriminately used rape as a weapon of war against innocent Israeli women
Argamani is shown as a hostage in Gaza – she has not yet been released
Progressive women’s rights organizations around the world, including those at the forefront of the #MeToo movement and most recently those at the helm of the UN Women’s Group, have been heavily criticized for not vocally condemning Hamas’s use of mass rape.
Just last week, almost two months after the horrific October 7 attack, UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced that the organization would investigate Hamas’s use of sexual violence against Israeli women.
“There are numerous reports of sexual violence during Hamas’ heinous October 7 terrorist attacks that must be vigorously investigated and prosecuted,” he said.
“Gender-based violence must be condemned.” At any time. Everywhere.’
The UN women’s agency has so far failed to issue a definitive statement on Hamas’s rapes of Israeli women.