Congressional Progressive Caucus chair walks back comment on Israel being 'racist'

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, on Sunday said she did not mean to call Israel a "racist" state.

"Words do matter," said Jayapal (D-Wash.) in a statement, "and so it is important that I clarify my statement. I do not believe the idea of Israel as a nation is racist."

Jayapal was responding to criticism across the political spectrum about comments she made during a panel discussion at a Netroots Nation conference in Chicago on Saturday. "I want you to know that we have been fighting to make it clear that Israel is a racist state," she said after the panel was interrupted by protesters chanting "Free Palestine."

House Democratic leaders, including Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), issued a joint statement rejecting Jayapal's Saturday remarks. “Israel is not a racist state. As House Democratic leaders, we strongly support Israel’s right to exist as a homeland for the Jewish people," they said, though they added: "Certainly, there are individual members of the current Israeli governing coalition with whom we strongly disagree."

Republicans also assailed Jayapal's remarks. "This is truly disgusting, especially coming from a member of Congress," tweeted Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.).

In her statement Sunday, Jayapal distinguished between criticism of Israel as a nation and criticism of Israel's current prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.

"Netanyahu's extreme right-wing government has engaged in discriminatory and outright racist policies," Jayapal said.

She also explained her off-the-cuff remarks Saturday by saying she was "responding to the deep pain and hopelessness that exists for Palestinians and their diaspora communities" but added: "I in no way intended to deny the deep pain and hurt of Israelis and their Jewish diaspora community that still reels from the trauma of pogroms and persecution, the Holocaust, and continuing anti-semitism and hate violence that is rampant today."

Jayapal also said: "I offer my apologies to those who I have hurt with my words, and offer this clarification."

Israeli President Isaac Herzog is to address Congress on Wednesday. Herzog, who was elected to the largely ceremonial position in 2021, served as leader of Israel's opposition in the Knesset, its parliament, from 2013 to 2018 during one of Netanyahu's earlier stints as prime minister. Some Democrats, including Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), have said they will not attend.