On Monday, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) strayed from the far-left base of the Democratic Party and unapologetically voiced her support for Israel as Hamas launched hundreds of rockets at the nation.
“I condemn the rocket attacks on innocent civilians and stand in support of Israel and peace,” the Democrat posted to Twitter.
As noted by The Hill, Sinema spoke at an Arizona-based AIPAC event in February. “Our support for a secure Israel as a beacon of democracy must remain unwavering,” the Democrat wrote in a tweet. “Proud to speak at [AIPAC] Phoenix dinner last night about strengthening and deepening this alliance.”
Sinema is one of the few voices on the Left — certainly within the freshman class — expressing support for Israel, an ally of the United States, as the nation was indiscriminately bombarded by rockets this weekend.
For example, Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), tweeted Sunday: “When will the world stop dehumanizing our Palestinian people who just want to be free? Headlines like this & framing it in this way just feeds into the continued lack of responsibility on Israel who unjustly oppress & target Palestinian children and families. #FreePalestine.”
“How many more protesters must be shot, rockets must be fired, and little kids must be killed until the endless cycle of violence ends? The status quo of occupation and humanitarian crisis in Gaza is unsustainable. Only real justice can bring about security and lasting peace,” wrote Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) in a tweet published on Sunday.
Rep. Omar has been routinely criticized for comments deemed anti-Semitic. In February, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) blasted Omar for her “use of anti-Semitic tropes.”
“Congresswoman Omar’s use of anti-Semitic tropes and prejudicial accusations about Israel’s supporters is deeply offensive,” said a statement from Pelosi, co-signed by other party leaders, according to Politico. “We condemn these remarks and we call upon Congresswoman Omar to immediately apologize for these hurtful comments.”
Pelosi, however, has since rationalized Omar’s comments, suggesting the Democrat did not know the “full weight of the words.” The House speaker also went to bat for Omar when President Donald Trump attacked her for suggesting the 9/11 terror attack that killed 3,000 Americans was a mere instance when “some people did something.”