‘Squad’ reps blasted for calling for ceasefire following Hamas attack on Israel
Congressional “Squad” members were blasted for urging a ceasefire in the Middle East after Hamas fighters killed hundreds of Israelis Saturday in a shocking sneak attack that led Israel to launch retaliatory strikes.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and other pro-Palestine reps condemned the cruel terror assault but also called for all violence to stop as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Israel was “at war.”
“Today is devastating for all those seeking a lasting peace and respect for human rights,” AOC said in a statement. “I condemn Hamas’ attack in the strongest possible terms. No child and family should ever endure this kind of violence and fear, and this violence will not solve the ongoing oppression and occupation in the region.
“An immediate ceasefire and de-escalation is urgently needed to save lives.”
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), in part of her statement, also condemned “the horrific acts … against children, women, the elderly, and the unarmed people who are being slaughtered and taken hostage by Hamas” while calling for de-escalation.
Rep. Cori Bush (D-Missouri) criticized US foreign policy in her statement over the attacks, insisting in order to achieve peace in the region, the US needs to end its “support for Israeli military occupation and apartheid.”
Bush, along with Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), also called for the fighting to stop. And Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) said “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.”
The collection of statements was not well received by conservative commentators.
“Yet another Democrat wanting ‘ceasefire; by victims of a brutal terrorist attack,” Kyle Lamb, a Florida Republican and staffer on Ron DeSantis’ campaign, tweeted in reply to Bush’s statement.
“The squad telling Israel to stand down after it was attacked and hundreds of its citizens were massacred. Incredible,” well-known conservative account Comfortably Smug tweeted in reply to Pressley’s call for a ceasefire.
A writer for conservative-leaning Townhall John Hasson blasted Omar’s statement for implying “that attacking/killing IDF forces is fine” because she only mentioned women, children, the elderly and unarmed people in her statement.
In reply to AOC’s demand that fighting stop, prominent conservative activist Ned Ryun replied in a tweet, “How about no?”
It doesn’t appear Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) has issued a statement as of Saturday night.
Hamas fighters fired rockets toward Israeli communities and moved in by ground, boat and air Saturday morning as they carried out their shocking attack.
At least 600 Israelis are dead and more than 1,500 have been injured from the attacks. Dozens of Israelis have also been taken hostage.
More than 230 Gazans were also killed when Israel responded during retaliatory strikes in the Gaza Strip.
“We will take mighty vengeance for this wicked day,” Netanyahu vowed.
With Post wires