CNN anchor Dana Bash pressed Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) on the silence from some fellow progressive leaders on Hamas’s use of rape as a weapon of war against Israeli women, in a tense exchange in a Sunday interview.
“It is kind of remarkable that this issue hasn’t gotten enough attention globally, widespread use of rape, brutal rape, sexual violence against Israeli women by Hamas,” Bash said.
“I have seen a lot of progressive women, generally speaking, that are quick to defend women’s rights and speak out against using rape as a weapon of war, but downright silent on what we saw on Oct. 7 and what might be happening inside Gaza right now to these hostages. Why is that?” Bash continued.
Jayapal contested the premise.
“I mean, I don’t know that that’s true. I think what — we always talk about the impact of war on women, in particular. In fact, I remember, 20 years ago, I did a petition around the war in Iraq, saying that …”
Bash cut in, asking whether Jayapal has talked about it since Oct. 7, when the U.S.-designated terrorist organization Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel’s southern border, killing 1,200 Israelis and taking more than 240 hostages.
“Oh, absolutely. And I have condemned what Hamas has done. I have condemned all of the actions.” Jayapal said.
“Specifically against women?” Bash asked.
“Absolutely, the rape, the — of course,” Jayapal answered, before pivoting her answer to focus on Israel, noting it is a democracy and is held to a higher standard “if they do not comply with international law.”
“And, frankly, morally, I think we cannot say that one war crime deserves another. That is not what international humanitarian law says,” Jayapal added.
Bash pointedly noted Jayapal’s diversion.
“OK, with respect, I was just asking about the women, and you turned it back to Israel. I’m asking you about Hamas,” Bash said.
“I already answered your question, Dana. I said it’s horrific,” Jayapal said. “And I think that rape is horrific. Sexual assault is horrific. I think that it happens in war situations. Terrorist organizations like Hamas obviously are using these as tools.”
“However, I think we have to be balanced about bringing in the outrages against Palestinians,” she continued, adding, “Fifteen thousand Palestinians have been killed in Israeli airstrikes, three-quarters of whom are women and children.”
Bash responded directly: “And it’s horrible, but you don’t see Israeli soldiers raping Palestinian women.”
“Well, Dana, I think we’re not — we’re not — I don’t want this to be the hierarchy of oppressions,” Jayapal said.
And this is why I hate the progressives, they can barely shield their hatred and antipathy for Israel and Jews everywhere.
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I heard about a terrorist incident at the Eiffel Tower this weekend and before I looked at the minutia decided to play the old game: who done it?
Who killed an innocent tourist and seriously wounded a German Couple? Was it:
a) A Catholic from Heidelberg who was way over the limit on pouilly fuisse?
b) A Jew from Flatbush who wanted the world to respond to the continuous oppression of people in black hats?
c) A Muslim shouting Allahu Ahkbar?
Guess, it shouldn't be too hard. But the world gives certain people a pass to be animals, the behavior is condoned, one that would be unheard of by anybody else.
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"Can I say something as somebody who's been in the streets and participated in a lot of demonstrations? I want you to know that we have been fighting to make it clear that Israel is a racist state, that the Palestinian people deserve self-determination and autonomy, that the dream of a two-state solution is slipping away from us — that it doesn't even feel possible." Rep. Pramila Jayapal - July 15, 2023
3 comments:
How bout a shout out Biden Inc. for making no mention of the 29 Americans dead on Oct. 7...or the 4000 wounded...or the nine American hostages...with one cut loose because her great aunt bought a painting by the master fine artist Hunter??...
The number of dead in Gaza is less than 1000 and most of them are Hamas terrorists...Hamas can't count cuz they're dug in too deep...part of a rocket sent from Gaza falls in a hospital parking lot and they said 500 died...there was no one there...
'14 intelligence agencies' told Robbie Mook (the worthless campaign manager for H R Clinton) that Russia won the election for Donald Trump but not one of them knew Hamas was planning a slaughter...wtf do we pay these assholes for??
You don't have to work hard to find a lot of hypocracy and flagrant antisemitism on the far left. Actually you don't have to look far to find the same dictatorial impulses that animate Mr. Trump although it is expressed in more self reightous terms by the left. The amoral horrors of Hamas are pretty obvious.
It is beginning to look like Israel is going to make some pretty significant progress in eliminating Hamas but this leaves the world looking at many, many horrific images of children being injured and killed and this will have a price regardless of it being fair or not. Long term this may reduce support for Israel (as is on vivid display over here).
Whether is is good or bad, the world no longer looks at the conflict like a cowboys and Indians story with Palestinians playing the Indians.
The rest is a horribly confused mess with chaos abounding and many different ways the whole thing can go to hell. I hope Israel can win and quickly but what this means for the future is unknown.
It is nasty and evil but I can't stop being amused by the image in my head of Hamas fighters being flushed out of tunnels in giant geysers of sea water.
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