‘Beyond F*cked Up’: House Democrat Pramila Jayapal Blasted By Critics Across The Political Spectrum For Comments On Hamas Rapes
Rep. Pramila Jayapal on CNN’s State of the Union – Screenshot
Leftwing commenters and political figures — along with independents and conservatives — slammed Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) Sunday after CNN anchor Dana Bash confronted the lawmaker over why “progressive women” have been “downright silent” about sexual violence committed by Hamas against women in the October 7 terror attack and since.
Jayapal joined Bash in studio for CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday, and the interview became tense when Jayapal qualified her condemnation of rapes and sexual assault committed by Hamas by bringing up the deaths of Palestinians from Israeli air strikes and literally saying that condemnation must be “balanced.”
Bash responded by agreeing civilians deaths are horrific, but pointing out that “you don’t see Israeli soldiers raping Palestinian women.”
“I don’t want this to be the hierarchies of oppression,” Jayapal responded.
Her comments brought a wide array of condemnation from leftwing advocates and prominent Democrats on X (formerly Twitter), including from former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s daughter, Christine Pelosi.
I should not have to say this in 2023 but here we are: RAPE IS RAPE.
Do not minimize, excuse, “balance” or “both sides” sexual assault – that is victim blaming we have spent decades trying to undo in the laws, the courts and the hearts and minds of the people. #WeSaidEnough
— Christine Pelosi (@sfpelosi) December 3, 2023
Meanwhile, Fox News anchor Jessica Tarlov told her followers that the lawmaker’s comments were “beyond f*cked up.”
This is beyond f*cked up
Every single one of these Democratic primaries of the ‘progressives’ is going to be justified https://t.co/uLu2EDcpuC— Jessica Tarlov (@JessicaTarlov) December 3, 2023
Others congratulated Bash for continuing to follow-up and question Jayapal on why she was not giving a full condemnation of the sexual assaulted committed by Hamas during the conflict.
There’s no “but” @RepJayapal. Hamas is using rape & sexual violence against women as weapons of war and Jayapal had neither the decency, fairness, or courage to unequivocally condemn what Hamas did. She had to say “but.”
Good on @DanaBashCNN for pushing her. https://t.co/DompNWZT9n— Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) December 3, 2023
Fellow CNN anchor Bianna Golodryga wrote, “Good on @DanaBashCNN to continually press @RepJayapal on condemning Hamas’ horrific sexual violence against Israeli women. Jayapal repeatedly said she spoke out specifically against the sexual violence but has apparently not done so, at least on X.”
Bash thanked Golodrya for her praise while noting that “rape is a weapon of war.”
Thanks @biannagolodryga for leading us all by pressing leaders globally to acknowledge Hamas brutal rape of innocent Israeli women. Rape is a weapon of war, thanks to the late Madeline Albright. https://t.co/tuWh2zSFGW
— Dana Bash (@DanaBashCNN) December 3, 2023
Although much of the criticism against Jayapal came from the right, the left continued flaming her for not condemning the sexual violence completely.
When asked about why there hasn’t been more outrage about Hamas’s rape of Israeli women Rep Jayapal says sexual violence should be condemned but “we have to be balanced” in our condemnation. pic.twitter.com/YeI8ejDlqb
— Jonathan Reiner (@JReinerMD) December 3, 2023
When you tie yourself into knots to defend rapists, you’ve lost your moral authority, @RepJayapal. #RapeIsNotResistance https://t.co/cN7bd2irxw
— Dave Aronberg (@aronberg) December 3, 2023
At one point, Jayapal responded to the outrage via a video posted on X calling Hamas “a terrorist organization that needs to be taken out” and advocating for a two state solution in the region.
Hamas is a terrorist organization that needs to be taken out.
The way to do that is to create a strong and durable coalition of allies in the Middle East that ensures a Palestinian state while providing safety and security for both Israelis and Palestinians in the region. pic.twitter.com/ia4113TGho
— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) December 3, 2023
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