Tipsheet

Who Is KJP Fooling When She Says They're 'Not Sensing Division' in the Democratic Party Over Israel?

Rebecca Downs
Rebecca Downs  |  October 13, 2023 1:15 PM

During Thursday's press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked to speak to whether or not there is "division" in the Democratic Party when it comes to support for Israel and condemnation of the Hamas terrorists that attacked the country on Saturday. Despite the inability for members of the Squad to fully condemn Hamas and/or express support for our ally in the Middle East, Jean-Pierre claimed "we're not sensing division."

A reporter had asked "does he feel that his party is supporting him in that and does he sense--or does he sense divisions amongst some parts of the party," referring to President Joe Biden. 

Initially, it seemed as if Jean-Pierre was trying to say she couldn't speak to the matter, before offering there is no such division. "Look, I--I can’t speak to--I--we’re not sensing division, right?  We’re--the president is focusing on the job at hand," she sputtered. "The President is going to always focus and make sure that Americans and our--our national security is front and center.  And this is part of that."

Jean-Pierre is often painting a rosier picture for the administration than is really the case, but if she claims they're "not sensing division," they're really not sensing much at all. Such a response also could suggest that the administration, would rather not even bother paying attention to any such division at all.

Her response to the question before that, which prompted this kind of follow-up above, was even more atrocious when it comes to whether Biden has support from the Democratic Party. What followed was a poor defense of the president's own personal efforts in supporting Israel.

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"Look, the president is--I mean, very much to what the Admiral just said about the moment that we’re in, about what we’re seeing, this ter--terrible event that happened this past weekend within Israel is that--who is an al--ally, who is a friend--is what we saw this--this terrorist organization do--Hamas--which is kill hundreds of li--take hundreds of lives, murder people," is the non-answer she struggled through, according to the official White House transcript.

"And we believe--this president believes it is the right thing to do to continue to assist the people of Israel as they’re dealing with this devastating, horrific time," she also added in part. "And so, it is the president’s duty as Commander-in-Chief to do everything that he can to protect us and to also assist in this horrific, horrific events that we saw this weekend."

That, of course, does not mean that divisions aren't actually there, or that support is there. In addition to the misplaced priorities from the Squad members, a poll from The Economist/YouGov showed Democrats are among the least supportive demographics when it comes to Israel.

On Friday morning, The Hill--hardly a conservative publication--published a headline on how "Schumer faces Democratic divisions on Israel," referring to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who will be leading a bipartisan trip to Israel. Oddly enough, the piece makes no mention of the exchanges above during Thursday's press briefing.

Such a claim that the White House is "not sensing division" comes after Jean-Pierre offered strong words during Tuesday's press briefing when it comes to the narratives from the Squad. As strong as her words rightfully were, she did not call them out by name.

Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) has arguably been one of the the worst offenders when it comes to what she's said, has not said, and her delayed responses, though Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) has made some problematic statements she's doubled down on as well.

There are Democratic members of Congress who have steadfastly not only expressed their support for Israel, while also calling out the narratives of their Democratic colleagues, especially, but not only Squad members. 

At a Massachusetts rally in support of Israel, for instace, Sen. Ed Markey was booed for discussing the need for de-escalation. Rep. Jake Auchinloss, who has also posted at length in support of Israel to his X accounts, denounced such a call when it was his term to speak during the rally. 

In addition to Auchincloss, other vocal Democrats include Reps. Ritchie Torres of New York and Jared Moskowitz of Florida. The latter has been particularly bipartisan on the matter when it comes to support for resolutions as well as reposting Gov. Ron DeSantis' (R-FL) support for the Jewish community, as well as reposting Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) in agreement and appearing on conservative shows.

And, one Michigan Democrat, Rep. Shri Thanedar renounced his membership with the Democratic Socialists of America, after the group hosted antisemitic rallies in New York City earlier this week.

Thanedar made the announcement from his official X account on Wednesday afternoon.