Rep. Jayapal claims that the "idea of Israel" is not racist after labeling Israel as a "racist state"

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Washington) tried to appease the anti-Israel protesters during a Saturday keynote address at the Netroots Nation conference that was disrupted by demonstrators waving Palestinian flags.

We have fought to make it known that Israel is a racist state, and I want you to know that! “, said she.

The Washington Democrat, who voted against celebrating Israel’s 75th anniversary and asked the White House to ignore the established definition of antisemitism, was speaking at the Netroots Nation convention in Chicago.

The gathering calls itself the largest yearly meeting of the progressive movement.

The conversation was chaired by Daily Kos founder Markos Moulitsas and included Jayapal, Reps. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), and Jess Garca (D-Ill.). Reps. Summer Lee (D-Pa.), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.), Greg Casar (D-Texas), Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.), and Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), who had just addressed the audience, were among the “incredible” young leaders he questioned.

In his remarks, the member of the so-called “squad” noted that the Palestinian people “have now experienced occupation and displacement for 75 years.” Reggie Hubbard of Active Peace Yoga opened the session by declaring, “In this moment we stand in solidarity with Palestine.”

Protesters stood up, shouted slogans, and carried Palestinian flags as Jayapal handed control of the situation to Schakowsky. Schakowsky seemed to say, “I’m your ally.

Protesters stood up, shouted slogans, and carried Palestinian flags as Jayapal handed control of the situation to Schakowsky. Schakowsky seemed to say, “I’m your ally.” “Thank you,” Garca said. “We feel you, and we hear you.”

Former American ambassador to Israel David Friedman tweeted on Sunday in reaction to Jayapal’s claim that she has been “fighting” to make it apparent that Israel is a racist country: “I’ve been fighting to make it clear that Jayapal is a racist congresswoman.”

Later that day, Jayapal released a “statement on Israel comments,” in which she claimed that her remarks were intended to criticize Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu rather than the State of Israel and that she made them in an effort “to defuse a tense situation during a panel where fellow members of Congress were being protested.”