


The White House on Tuesday forcefully condemned remarks by the group of far-left House members known as the “Squad,” who appeared to blame Israel for being attacked and called for an end to U.S. aid to the Jewish state.
“We believe they are wrong,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters. “We believe they are repugnant and we believe they are disgraceful. Our condemnation belongs squarely with terrorists who have brutally murdered, raped and kidnapped hundreds — hundreds of Israelis. There can be no equivocation about that.
“There are not two sides here,” Ms. Jean-Pierre continued. “President Biden has been clear about where he stood, you heard him directly today and you heard from him also on Saturday on this.”
The White House pushback comes after two members of the Squad suggested that Israel bears some responsibility for the terror attacks.
Rep. Cori Bush, Missouri Democratic, issued a statement lamenting the loss of both Israeli and Palestinian lives before calling for an end to U.S. support for Israel.
“As part of achieving a just and lasting peace, we must do our part to stop this violence and trauma by ending US government support for Israeli military occupation and apartheid,” she wrote.
Fellow Squad member Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Michigan Democrat, echoed Ms. Bush’s statements, saying Israel was an “apartheid government” and blasted the U.S. for “unconditional funding” to the Jewish state.
“I am determined as ever to fight for a just future where everyone can live in peace without fear and with true freedom, equal rights and human dignity. The path to that future must include lifting the blockade, ending the occupation and dismantling the apartheid system that creates the suffocating, dehumanizing conditions that can lead to resistance,” she wrote on X.
The death toll from the Hamas terror attacks and subsequent response from Israel have left more than 1,000 civilians dead, including at least 14 Americans.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.