N.J. reps back resolution supporting Israel

The U.S. House overwhelmingly passed a resolution today affirming its support for Israel and denying that it is a racist or apartheid country, with 11 of New Jersey’s House members voting in favor. (One member, Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (D-Newark), was not present for any votes today.)

The resolution was introduced by House Republicans just yesterday as a rebuke to Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Washington), a top progressive congresswoman who called Israel a racist state over the weekend. Jayapal’s remarks – coming just a few days prior to Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s address before Congress – quickly drew blowback from leaders of both parties.

A group of 43 House Democrats, led by Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Wyckoff) and also including Rep. Rob Menendez (D-Jersey City), released a statement yesterday further condemning Jayapal’s remarks, which she later retracted, and affirming their support for the U.S.-Israel relationship.

“We are deeply concerned about Representative Pramila Jayapal’s unacceptable comments regarding our historic, democratic ally Israel, and we appreciate her retraction,” the group wrote. “We will never allow anti-Zionist voices that embolden antisemitism to undermine and disrupt the strongly bipartisan consensus supporting the U.S.-Israel relationship that has existed for decades.”

The only no votes on the resolution today came from left-wing Democrats like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York); even Jayapal herself voted yes.

This story was updated at 8:07 a.m. on July 19 with a correction: Herzog is the president of Israel, not the prime minister.