Liberal Rep.-elect Ritchie Torres said he does not plan to join the “Squad” or fraternize with its members because of his strong support for Israel.
The leadership of the DSA declines to affirm that the state of Israel should exist. ‘Insane’ is the word that comes to mind. https://t.co/P8bYRI49A8
— Ritchie Torres (@RitchieTorres) August 6, 2020
Torres, who endorsed Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., during the 2020 presidential primaries, argued that there is a big difference between true progressives like himself and radical socialists like “Squad” members Reps. Alexandria Ocasio–Cortez, D-N.Y.; Ilhan Omar, D-Minn.; and Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich.
“I came to observe that there are activists who have a visceral hatred for Israel as though it were the root of all evil,” he told the New York Post.
“The act of singling out Israel as BDS [the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement] has done is the definition of discrimination.”
The freshman congressman said his visits to Israel changed his perspective completely.
“I remember meeting a family in Sderot. And I had no concept of what it was like to live in a city that lives under the fear of rocket fire,” Torres explained.
“I’m going to make the case that the progressive position is a two-state solution and promoting dignity for both the Israelis and the Palestinians,” he said.
Ocasio–Cortez, Tlaib, and Omar have all denounced Israel, and Tlaib and Omar have a history of making anti-Semitic comments.
Torres also criticized the Democratic Socialists of America, which supports Ocasio–Cortez, for promoting policies such as ‘Defund the Police,’ which he called “arbitrary and irresponsible.” He slammed the organization’s anti-Israel position, too.
The DSA admitted it shares no love of Torres either.
“We do not like him, and he doesn’t like us,” one DSA lawmaker said.
Torres noted that he has nothing against Ocasio–Cortez, even though he does not plan on associating with her posse.
“I received a congratulatory call from Congresswoman Ocasio–Cortez and she is unfailingly gracious,” Torres said.
