As Hamas rockets continue to rain down on Israelis, the U.S. Congress, in particular the House of Representatives, is split on who is to blame for the conflict between Israel and the terror group Hamas with some Progressives question the intensity of Israel's military response to attacks.
For the most part, both Republican and Democratic legislators support Israel’s right to defend itself against the terrorist attacks and support a two-state solution to resolve the decades-long conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians.
But not all members of Congress are supportive of Israel and have expressed views that are perceived as radical or anti-Israel.
The House Progressive “Squad,” which is comprised of Reps. Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley, and Rashida Tlaib have gone as far as to refer to Israel as an “Apartheid state” and a “terrorist state.”
Texas Rep. Veronica Escobar (D), a Progressive from El Paso, Texas, is not a member of the “Squad,” but who does align with many of their views, told Texas Politics that even though she supports a two-state solution, she believes that there has been a disproportionate response from Israel
“I think there are members, with myself included, that see this as a disproportionate response from Israel,” said Rep. Escobar. “My concern is, what is the end game for Israel?”
Rep. Escobar went a bit further, expressing her concern about “how much further this moves us away from a two-state solution.”
While Republicans like Senator Ted Cruz (R) and Rep. Ronny Jackson (R) have both accused Reps. Tlaib, Omar, and Ocasio-Cortez of supporting Hamas, Escobar says she hasn’t heard of “a single member come out in support of Hamas.”
Like fellow Democratic Rep. Joaquin Castro (D), Escobar believes that an “immediate ceasefire” needs to occur, but questions Israel’s decision to not agree to a ceasefire.
“There needs to be an immediate ceasefire. I’m really troubled by the fact that Netanyahu has said ‘no.’ You have leaders on all sides of this issue, including very pro-Israel members of Congress asking for a ceasefire, and you have Israel basically saying “absolutely not,” concluded Escobar.
Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R), a freshman congresswoman from the Dallas area told Texas Politics that America needed to stand by Israel and that she would “love to hear from Biden to condemn them (Squad).”
Rep. Ocasio-Cortez has recently filed legislation to prevent military aid to Israel.
