Rep Ilhan Omar slams Israel’s Gaza airstrikes as ‘terrorism’ while fellow ‘squad’ member AOC backs Palestinians
CONGRESSWOMAN Ilhan Omar has slammed Israel’s airstrikes on the Gaza strip as “terrorism” as her fellow Squad member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also offers her support for Palestinians.
Omar commented on Monday after the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza reported that nine children were among 20 killed by Israeli airstrikes.
One victim was younger than ten while another 65 people were injured.
“Israeli airstrikes killing civilians in Gaza is an act of terrorism,” Omar tweeted in response to the news.
“Palestinians deserve protection. Unlike Israel, missile defense programs, such as Iron Dome, don’t exist to protect Palestinian civilians.
“It’s unconscionable to not condemn these attacks on the week of Eid,” she added, referencing the Muslim holy week.
Israel had claimed it carried out airstrikes in retaliation for rocket attacks from Gaza, which came in the wake of clashes at the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem last weekend.
More than 300 rockets have been fired by Palestinian militants towards Israel since Monday, said Israeli military spokesman Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus said.
Israel has responded with 130 strikes carried out by fighter jets and attack helicopters on military targets in the enclave, killing 15 commanders from Hama, he said.
“Many will tell you Israel has a right to defend itself, to safety and security, but are silent on whether Palestinians have those rights too,” Omar said in a later tweet.
“Until we can defend the rights of Palestinians just as we do Israelis, we have no leg to stand on when it comes to justice or peace.”
She joined with fellow members of the Squad who had spoken out about the escalating violence over the weekend.
“We stand in solidarity with the Palestinian residents of Sheikh Jarrah in East Jerusalem,” wrote AOC.
“Israeli forces are forcing families from their homes during Ramadan and inflicting violence. It is inhumane and the US must show leadership in safeguarding the human rights of Palestinians.”
“This is unacceptable,” said Rep. Ayanna Pressley.
“I stand in solidarity with the Palestinian residents of Sheikh Jarrah in East Jerusalem who are being forcibly removed from their homes — in the middle of a pandemic, during Ramadan.”
Rep. Rashida Tlaib took a swipe at Biden for not speaking out.
“I was 7 years old when I first prayed at the Al Aqsa with my city. It’s a sacred site for Muslims,” she wrote.
“This is equivalent to attacking the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Christians, or the Temple Mount for Jews. Israel attacks it during Ramadan.
“Where’s the outrage @POTUS?”
The White House has since said that its focus is on “de-escalation” but claimed that Israel had the right to defend itself as tensions mount.
Hamas has threatened to turn Israel “into hell” after the airstrike which killed nine children on Monday.
After the strikes from the Palestinian militants, Israel has responded with 130 strikes.
They were carried out by fighter jets and attack helicopters on military targets in Gaza, killing 15 commanders from Hamas.
Palestinians reporting loud explosions close to Gaza City and across the coastal strip.
The Israeli strikes targeted the home of a Hamas commander Mohammed Fayyad, who was killed, and also cross-border tunnels.
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In retaliation, Hamas launched another round of rocket attacks on the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon.
The terror group said it would “turn Ashkelon into hell” if Israel targeted civilians in Gaza.
The violence continued into Tuesday night as more strikes were fired.