Washington, D.C. – Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) released the following statement after the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan resolution (H. Con. Res 57) supporting the State of Israel and condemning all forms of antisemitism and xenophobia. The final vote total was 412-9 with 1 member voting “present.”

“For more than 60 years, Israel has been America’s most important ally in the Middle East. Its people share our love for democracy. They long for a brighter future full of peace and prosperity,” said Rodgers. “The State of Israel is not racist and it is not an apartheid state. This dangerous antisemitic rhetoric from my colleagues has no place in the United States, and the fact that this poison has penetrated the halls of Congress is profoundly disturbing. While I’m disappointed this resolution was necessary, it was an important vote to take with 411 of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to stand with Israel and protect the historic relationship between our two nations.”

The passage of this resolution comes after a small group of Progressive Democrats announced their refusal to attend Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s speech to a joint session of Congress. Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) went even further by calling Israel a “racist state” to appease pro-Palestine protestors at a conference over the weekend. 

H. Con. Res 57 sends a clear message that the United States House of Representatives stands with Israel and condemns these actions. Specifically, the resolution states the following:

• Israel is not a racist or apartheid state;
• Congress rejects all forms of antisemitism and xenophobia; and 
• The United States will always be a staunch partner and supporter of Israel.

NOTE: Cathy and her co-chairs of the bipartisan House and Senate Abraham Accords Caucus will meet with President Herzog tomorrow after his address to a joint session of Congress, which is scheduled for July 19 at 11 AM ET. You can watch the livestream here. 

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