Democrat Slams Party for Promoting Hamas View to 'Kill Jews'

Democratic representative Steny Hoyer criticized some members of his party on Monday for what he says is reflecting the views of Hamas, which is to "kill jews."

Democrats have been divided over the U.S. response to the Israel-Hamas war, which began after the Palestinian militant group launched a surprise attack against Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people and taking an estimated 240 hostage. Israel subsequently launched its heaviest-ever airstrikes in Gaza. More than 34,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The rising death toll has led to international calls for a ceasefire, and multiple protests at universities across America.

During a Monday interview with CNN host Manu Raju, Hoyer, a former House majority leader, took aim at some of the members in his party over their position in the conflict, when he was asked by Raju about the general position some progressives are taking.

"I regret that there are members who are, in effect, I think, reflecting the views of Hamas, which are to kill Jews and eliminate Israel and when you are talking about "from the river to the sea." I think it's very unfortunate," Hoyer responded.

Newsweek has reached out to Hoyer's office via email for comment.

Hoyer's comments come after some Democrats, including representative Jamaal Bowman of New York and Representative Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, have continued to call for a ceasefire, while criticizing the U.S. support of Israel. They have in turn been criticized for their support of pro-Palestinian protests.

Although Hoyer did not specify which party members he is referencing, Tlaib, was previously hit by a social media backlash from fellow politicians after posting a video in November featuring the chant, "from the river to the sea." Following her comments, nearly two dozen Democrats joined Republicans in the vote to censure Tlaib in November, while four Republicans voted against it.

Newsweek has reached out to Tlaib's office via email for comment.

President Joe Biden and other leading Democrat figures such as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer have become stronger in their criticism of pro-Palestinian protests.

But Biden has faced questions over his decision to pause the shipment of bombs to Israel and review future military shipments. In addition, the Biden administration on Friday said Israel's use of U.S.-supplied weapons in Gaza may have violated international humanitarian law.

The findings came in a U.S. State Department report to Congress, which noted that due to wartime conditions, officials had not found specific instances that showed Israel had violated terms of U.S. weapons agreements.

Tlaib spoke to Raju on Monday about Biden's seemingly changing position. "It seems that the president's line keeps changing. Where is your red line? Because I think the mass grave or 13,000 children should have been enough for us to say our country shouldn't be involved in this kind of genocide," Tlaib said.