US House Democrat Leader Criticizes Israel's Gaza Actions

On the third anniversary of the October 7th Hamas attack, House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries condemned the massacre but also sharply criticized Israel's actions in Gaza, calling for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. Jeffries acknowledged the atrocities committed by Hamas, including murder, kidnapping, and sexual assault against Israeli and American civilians, stating, "Three years ago today, Hamas terrorists who sought to destroy Israel carried out an unthinkable massacre." He expressed solidarity with the victims' families and survivors, and addressed the rise in global antisemitism and the Jewish people's struggle for existence. Jeffries affirmed America's commitment to Israel's right to exist as a Jewish and democratic state, living securely alongside its neighbors, and stressed the need to permanently remove Hamas from power, eradicate terrorism, and pursue a just and lasting peace.

However, Jeffries dedicated a significant portion of his statement to criticizing the civilian casualties and destruction in Gaza. "The terrible deaths of Palestinian civilians, the destruction of civil society, and the devastation in Gaza are deplorable and must not be allowed to happen again," he stated. He advocated for a dramatic shift in Washington's approach to the conflict, demanding the promotion of an independent Palestinian state, support for a new generation of Palestinian leaders, and an end to what he termed severe violence by Jews in the West Bank. Jeffries reiterated that the solution must involve both Israel and a Palestinian state living side-by-side in peace and prosperity.

This statement follows remarks by New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, who, while condemning the October 7th massacre, also accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. Mamdani's comments drew strong condemnation, including from Israeli Ambassador to the United States who called Mamdani's statement largely false. Jeffries, who has endorsed Mamdani in his bid for mayor, also urged him to address the concerns of the Jewish community regarding his anti-Israel statements, noting in an interview that the candidate would need to convince Jewish communities he would aggressively combat rising antisemitism in New York City.