Asked about Hamas rape, US congresswoman criticizes Israel, calls for ‘balance’ in outrage

Asked about global silence on Hamas sexual violence against Israeli women, US Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal responds by discussing Israeli actions in Gaza, and says that outrage must be “balanced.”

In an appearance on CNN, Jayapal is asked by anchor Dana Bash about the lack of response to the growing evidence of such allegations. The progressive member of Congress says she has “condemned what Hamas has done… but I think we have to remember” that Israel must “comply with international humanitarian law… morally we cannot say that one war crime deserves another.”

Bash pushes back, saying her question was about Hamas rape and sexual assault, “and you turned it back to Israel.”

“I think that rape is horrific, sexual assault is horrific, I think it happens in war situations,” replies Jayapal. “However I think we have to be balanced about bringing in the outrages against Palestinians, 15,000 Palestinians have been killed.”

המחוקקת הפרוגרסיבית וחברת בית הנבחרים האמריקני נשאלה על מעשי האונס של מחבלי חמאס ב-7 באוקטובר – אך השיבה על פעילות צה"ל בעזה. לדבריה: "אונס הוא דבר נוראי שקורה במצבי מלחמה, אבל חייבים להישאר מאוזנים כשמדברים על הפגיעה הקשה בפלסטינים"@itamargalit pic.twitter.com/xyG1AZsnre

— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) December 3, 2023