Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) and Cori Bush (D-Mo.) are under scrutiny from fellow Democrats following recent statements in which they characterized Israel as an apartheid state and called for the cessation of U.S. funding to the nation in the wake of a surprise attack by Hamas, which resulted in hundreds of casualties.

Tlaib expressed her grief over the loss of lives on both sides and called for the dismantling of the apartheid system, emphasizing the need to end the blockade of the Gaza Strip and terminate the occupation. She criticized the ongoing U.S. financial support to Israel, linking it to the perpetuation of violence.

Cori Bush echoed similar sentiments, condemning the violence and advocating for the cessation of U.S. government support for Israeli military occupation and apartheid in pursuit of a just and lasting peace.

These statements faced criticism from both political spectrums, including two Democratic lawmakers. Reps. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) and Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) denounced Tlaib and Bush’s comments, defending the unconditional nature of U.S. aid to Israel and expressing their distress over the recent violence.

The ambassador of Israel to the U.S., Michael Herzog, directly responded to Tlaib’s statement, urging her to condemn Hamas unequivocally and highlighting the severe toll of the recent violence.