Pramila Jayapal Sparks Controversy with Call for ‘Balanced’ Criticism Amid Allegations of Progressive Silence on Hamas Rapes
4 min readWhen questioned concerning progressives’ apparent silence regarding Hamas rapes of Israeli women, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) was criticised by Republicans as well as Democrats on Sunday for calling for a “balanced” condemnation of the Israel-Hamas war. During an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Jayapal, the chair of the progressive caucus, first condemned the sexual aggression by Hamas terrorists against Israeli women. Following that, she went on to highlight that Israel had reportedly caused the deaths of 15,000 Palestinians, with two-thirds of them being women and children. CNN commentator Dana Bash observed that progressive women have mainly been silent on the heinous sexual assaults carried out by Hamas during its tragic invasion of the Jewish State.
Rep. Pramila Jayapal is an absolute monster who loathes Israel & Jews.
— Jason Rantz on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) December 3, 2023
She repeatedly & falsely accuses Israel of "indiscriminately" targeting civilians & hospitals.
Dana Bash asked about Israeli women being raped & Jayapal pivots to attacking Israel. Bash calls her out. pic.twitter.com/lq9mN4CGT1
Pramila Jayapal said saying she didn’t believe the charge was totally accurate. Social media instantly lambasted the Democrat’s deflection. Bianna Golodrya, a CNN presenter, applauded her colleague for persisting in questioning Jayapal throughout the interview. Conservative & former Ted Cruz communications advisor Steve Guest termed the interview tape “horrible,” while Fox News presenter Jessica Tarlov claimed it was “beyond f*cked up.” One among them who spoke out was former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s daughter.
CNN host and pro-Israel zealot @DanaBashCNN claimed "we saw" Hamas raping Israeli women on Oct 7, despite no video or direct testimony, and deployed the Israeli govt psy-op to shut down @PramilaJayapal every time she mentioned Israeli war crimes
— Max Blumenthal (@MaxBlumenthal) December 4, 2023
Unsurprisingly, Jayapal folded pic.twitter.com/JO0Hvrv6Od
Rep. Pramila Jayapal Was Chastised For Seeking ‘Balanced’ Criticism In Response To A Question Regarding Hamas Rapes
Left-wing commentators, political figures, as well as independents and conservatives, criticized Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) on Sunday after CNN anchor Dana Bash questioned the lawmaker about why “progressive women” have been notably silent regarding Hamas’s sexual violence against women in the October 7 terror attack and subsequent events. As Jayapal accompanied Bash to CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday, the interview became tense as Jayapal qualified her criticism of Hamas rapes and assault sexuals by mentioning Palestinian deaths as a result of air strikes by Israel, essentially stating that criticism must be “balanced.” While civilian deaths are tragic, however, pointing out that you don’t see Israeli soldiers raping Palestinian women, Bash said. “I do not want this to be oppression hierarchies,” Jayapal replied. Her remarks drew widespread censure from leftwing activists and prominent Democrats on X (previously Twitter), including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s daughter, Christine Pelosi.
Meanwhile, Fox News presenter Jessica Tarlov said the lawmaker’s remarks were “beyond f*cked up.” Others thanked Bash for attempting to follow and additionally questioned Jayapal on why she did not fully condemn Hamas’s sexual assaults during the conflict. “Good on @DanaBashCNN for continuing to press @RepJayapal on condemning Hamas’ horrific sexual violence towards Israeli women,” said fellow CNN journalist Bianna Golodryga. Jayapal has often stated that she spoke out, especially against sexual violence, but she does not appear to have done so, at least on X.” Bash praised Golodrya for her compliments, but added that “rape is a weapon of war.” Although the majority of Jayapal’s criticism was coming from the right, the left proceeded to attack her for not fully condemning sexual abuse. At one point, Jayapal reacted to the outcry with a video broadcast on X, declaring Hamas “a terrorist organisation which has to be taken out” and arguing for a two-state solution in the region.
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. (1/2)
— Bianna Golodryga (@biannagolodryga) December 3, 2023
HOLY SMOKES. The clip is HORRIFYING. Jayapal scolds Israel: "If they do not comply with international humanitarian law…"
— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) December 3, 2023
CNN's Dana Bash was having none of it: "With respect, I was just asking about the women, and you turned it back to Israel…"
Jaypal: "…We have to be… pic.twitter.com/p7dQewWfMP
This is beyond f*cked up
— Jessica Tarlov (@JessicaTarlov) December 3, 2023
Every single one of these Democratic primaries of the ‘progressives’ is going to be justified https://t.co/uLu2EDcpuC