Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., warned President Biden that his response to Israel’s war against Hamas may cost him the votes of U.S. Muslims.
Jayapal made the comments during a Sunday morning appearance on “Meet the Press” with host Kristen Welker. Welker asked whether Jayapal was concerned Biden’s response to the conflict could weaken his chances in the 2024 presidential election.
“I have been one of President Biden’s biggest supporters. I have been proud to be a partner as he has been courageous and strong on the domestic front,” Jayapal responded. “The president needs to be just as courageous on this issue so that we keep the unity within our country.”
“He is, I think, going to be challenged to explain an issue of this moral significance to the American people,” she added. “The American people are actually quite far away from where the president and even the majority of Congress has been on Israel and Gaza.’
[Americans] support the right for Israel to defend itself and to exist, but they do not support a war crime exchanged for another war crime, and I think the president has to be careful about that. I would call on him…to bring us to a higher place,” she finished.
WATCH: @RepJayapal (D-Wash.) has been "one of President Biden's biggest supporters" but worries that his response to Israel will cost him support from Arab and Muslim voters.
"I am certainly concerned about his approach. … He needs to call us to a higher moral place." pic.twitter.com/VT4jTCmgG6
— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) October 29, 2023