Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) may have qualified as the worst member of The Squad during her appearance on CNN’s Sunday morning show with host Dana Bash. Bash, to her credit, held Jayapal’s feet to the fire on the question of Hamas using rape as a weapon of war.

Dana Bash is being complimented by both sides of the political aisle for doing her job as she interviewed Jayapal. The bipartisan support speaks to the fact that people of all political stripes acknowledge Hamas as an internationally designated terrorist group. Hamas gleefully performs human atrocities against Israelis and dares them to respond. The Israel-Hamas war began on October 7 when Hamas massacred more than 1200 Israelis and others living along the border with Gaza and attending a music festival. About 250 people were taken as hostages to the Gaza Strip.

The attack had been planned for more than two years, as we are now learning. The use of rape was a part of that plan. Witnesses of the Hamas attacks on October 7 report the use of rape and women who have been released by Hamas to speak of rape, too. Many women were subjected to gang rapes and some were murdered afterward.

It was reasonable to expect CNN host Dana Bash to question Rep. Jayapal about the treatment of Israeli women by Hamas. The reaction Jayapal had to Bash’s question about rape being used as a weapon of war by Hamas was stunning. It was extremely uncomfortable to watch. Jayapal was unable to firmly and clearly state that it was wrong.

Jayapal is a member of The Squad. She is the Progressive Caucus Chairwoman, too. She isn’t just some backbencher who keeps a low profile. When asked about sexual violence against Israeli women she condemned the behavior but quickly shifted to criticism against Israel. She denied that progressive women have been silent over Hamas rapes of Israeli women.

“I think we always talk about the impact of war on women in particular … I’ve condemned what Hamas has done. I’ve condemned the actions absolutely — the rape, of course,” she said before shifting the conversation back to Israel and accusations that it has not been complying with international humanitarian law.

“Morally, I think we cannot say that one war crime deserves another. That is not what international humanitarian law says,” Jayapal said.

Dana Bash pushed back. She countered Jayapal’s deflection.

“With respect, I was just asking you about the women and you turned it back to Israel. I’m asking you about Hamas,” Bash said.

“I already answered your question, Dana,” Jayapal replied in a heated exchange. “I said it’s horrific and I think that rape is horrific. Sexual assault is horrific. I think that it happens in war situations, terrorist organizations like Hamas are using these as tools.”

“However, I think we have to be balanced about bringing in the outrages against Palestinians,” she added while citing the colossal death toll in Gaza.

Bash interjected, acknowledging that the mass casualties are “horrible” and again bringing up the Hamas terrorists’ rapes of young Israeli women.

“Well, Dana … I don’t want this to be the hierarchy of oppression,” Jayapal said before describing the deaths, destruction, and displacement of Palestinians in Gaza caused by Israeli airstrikes.

Unbelievable. There is no balance here. There was a ceasefire in place when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7. Israel has been extremely measured in its response against Hamas during its many violations of that ceasefire before October 7. There is no justification for rape. Rape is a war crime. It has been appalling to watch women’s groups remain silent. UN women’s groups didn’t speak about the use of rape by Hamas for more than 50 days. Those who so quickly condemn sexual violence against other women are cowardly sitting on the sidelines instead of condemning Hamas.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal on CNN on condemning Hamas's sexual violence: "I think we have to be balanced about bringing in the outrages against Palestinians."

Dana Bash replies, "You don't see Israeli soldiers raping Palestinian women." pic.twitter.com/Lac7QI4bHx

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 3, 2023

Jayapal quickly received plenty of backlash from her inexcusable statements. One of Nancy Pelosi’s daughters, a political activist and filmmaker, was quick to weigh in.

I should not have to say this in 2023 but here we are: RAPE IS RAPE.

Do not minimize, excuse, “balance” or “both sides” sexual assault – that is victim blaming we have spent decades trying to undo in the laws, the courts and the hearts and minds of the people. #WeSaidEnough

— Christine Pelosi (@sfpelosi) December 3, 2023

Her statement would have made more of an impact if called out Jayapal specifically, but it was better than silence. The antisemitism has festered among members of The Squad for too long. Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi treated The Squad with kid gloves because she was afraid to lose their support and the votes of their constituents for Democrats in elections. If antisemitism is not immediately slapped down, it grows. It is what we see now in America and across the world.

WATCH: Democrat Rep. Pramila Jayapal tries to downplay and defend Hamas’ rape & sexual violence against Israeli women.

Jayapal scolds Israel: "If they do not comply with international humanitarian law…"

CNN's Dana Bash was having none of it: "With respect, I was just asking… pic.twitter.com/oaEjs5qxaW

— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) December 3, 2023

Furthermore on @CNNSOTU, she seemed to do the minimum condemnation possible before shifting topics. (2/2)

— Bianna Golodryga (@biannagolodryga) December 3, 2023

Jayapal never did condemn Hamas, instead, she said she has done so in the past. So, if that was true, why not continue to do so?

Progressive women who led the charge to “believe all women” and used the #MeToo movement to try and take down a conservative nominee to the Supreme Court are now trying to make an argument that the victims are responsible for their treatment. The Squad is antisemitic and has been allowed to flourish in Congress. Jayapal is in a leadership position. There is silence from Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, Leader of the House Democrats, about Jayapal’s remarks.

There has been silence from Michelle Obama, who was outspoken about the treatment of women when she was in the White House. It isn’t just women who were raped by Hamas, it was also girls, even very young girls. The message is clear – all women must be believed, except Israeli women. Believe the antisemites when they tell you who they are.

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