The White House has strongly criticized certain members of Congress who have called for a ceasefire in Israel, following the unexpected attack by Hamas.
The administration has labeled these calls as "wrong" and "disgraceful," insisting that full support for Israel should be the stance.
White House press secretary, Jean-Pierre, was questioned about President Biden's response to those Congress members who appear to equate the Hamas terror attack with Israel's prior actions. Real Clear Politics reporter, Philip Wegmann, pointed out that some members have called for a ceasefire, without fully endorsing the administration's call for support for Israel.
Jean-Pierre responded, "We've seen some of those statements this weekend. We're going to continue to be very clear. We believe they're wrong. We believe they're repugnant and we believe they're disgraceful." She did not specify any lawmakers or their statements.
However, Democratic lawmakers, Reps. Ilhan Omar (Minn.) and Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.), have publicly called for a ceasefire and de-escalation of the situation. Both Omar and Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) have faced backlash over their statements, where they labeled Israel as an apartheid state and called for the U.S. to cease funding to the nation.
Jean-Pierre added, "Our condemnation belongs squarely with terrorists who have brutally murdered, raped, kidnapped, hundreds, hundreds of Israelis. There can be no equivocation about that. There are not two sides here. There are not two sides."
Earlier on Tuesday, Biden strongly condemned the "abhorrent" terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israel. He also revealed that Americans are among those held hostage by the terrorist group and that the death toll of Americans had risen to 14.
"President Biden has been clear on where he has stoodyou heard from him directly today," Jean-Pierre said.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), of Palestinian heritage, called for "dismantling the apartheid system that creates the suffocating, dehumanizing conditions that can lead to resistance." Rep. Bush condemned the targeting of civilians and called for the end of U.S. support for Israel.
These comments were met with swift opposition, including from fellow Democrats in the House, Reps. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) and Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.).
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