Dear editor:I’m writing to provide some background for the situation in which Rep. Jamila Jayapal characterized Israel as a “racist state.” And to comment on media misrepresentation of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. They were targeting Rep. Jan Schakowsky who had refused to support a House bill barring American funds from use in Israeli detention of Palestinian children. The Times called Jayapal’s statement a “gaffe.” I call the labelling of the activists as being “Pro-Palestinian” an inaccuracy. Israel would not be detaining Palestinians (of any age) if Palestinians (of nearly all ages) weren’t attacking Israelis. Palestinian leaders can’t be urging children to long for martyrdom (dying for the honor of Allah while attacking and killing Jews) and then claiming that Israelis are evil for defending themselves from those who are trying to kill them.

Source: New York Times August 01, 2023 04:31 UTC