Does the White House Condemn It? Jean-Pierre on Jayapal's 'Racist State' Remark as Nine Democrats Vote No (July 18, 2023)

After Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., called Israel “a racist state,” a reporter asked the White House a simple question. “Congresswoman Jayapal’s comment that Israel is a racist state” had drawn an apology, the reporter noted, “but what we didn’t hear was any condemnation of her comment from the White House. Does the White House condemn that comment?” [1]

“So — I mean, look, the apology was the right thing to do,” press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. “When it comes to antisemitism, this administration and the entire Biden — Biden-Harris administration have been clear that when Israel is — is singled out because of anti-Jewish hate, that’s antisemitism, and that is unacceptable” [1].

The reporter tried again. “So the White House does condemn that comment?” [1]

“I mean, I just said, if it is — if — anytime anti-Jewish hatred is — is said, that is antisemitism, and we — and we find it to be unacceptable. But at the same time, we think it’s important that the congresswoman did indeed apologize for her comments, and we’re glad to see it,” Jean-Pierre said [1].

“Okay. I didn’t hear whether it was a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’ to that question,” the reporter said [1].

The video above shows part of the July 18, 2023, briefing. Quotes are from the official transcript published by the American Presidency Project [1].

”A First-of-a-Kind Strategy”

Jean-Pierre kept pointing to a plan. “Back in May, the President put forward a comprehensive plan on how to — how to counter antisemitism. It is something that is one of — it’s a first-of-a-kind strategy that we’ve not seen before,” she said [1].

”Other Congressional Members”

Another reporter raised a second Democrat. “There are, I think, four members of the House who are going to boycott President Herzog’s address tomorrow. And one of them, Representative Cori Bush, said that the Israeli government is ‘enforcing an apartheid state,’” the reporter said. “So, by your definition, is what Representative Bush said antisemitic?” [1]

“Look, what I can say is that the President has a longstanding relationship with Israel,” Jean-Pierre answered. “I cannot speak to other — other congressional members in the House” [1].

”I’d Refer You to the House”

The House was voting that day on a resolution saying Israel is not a racist or apartheid state. Asked whether the White House wanted strong support for it, Jean-Pierre said: “First of all, we condemn antisemitism. Anytime there is any anti-Jewish hate, we condemn it. We’ve been very clear. That is answering your question. As it relates to anything that’s going on on the House, I’d refer you to the House” [1].

”Unprecedented Harm”

Jean-Pierre had opened the briefing by going after a Republican senator. “Okay, so I wanted to start today, once again, by calling out an unprecedented harm that Senator Tuberville’s actions have to our famil- — have to our military readiness and military families,” she said [1].

Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., was blocking military promotions over the Pentagon’s policy of paying travel costs for service members seeking abortions. Jean-Pierre quoted Alabama veterans who spoke to CNN, including one who said, “I just don’t think that you would hold the national security hostage over an abortion issue” [1].

“As the President said in Helsinki last week, Republicans in Congress should step up and speak out,” she added [1].

”Willfully and Without Authorization”

The briefing also brought news from Korea. “First, the U.S. soldier who crossed the border into North Korea. AP is reporting that he had been held in a South Korea prison and was supposed to fly to Fort Bliss, Texas, to face disciplinary actions. How did he escape the airport? And is he a security risk?” a reporter asked [1].

“In the afternoon of July 18th, local time, a U.S. soldier on a private JSA orientation tour crossed, willfully and without authorization, the military demarcation line into the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,” Jean-Pierre said. “And we believe the soldier is currently in DPRK custody” [1].

By the Numbers

412-9: the House vote that day for the resolution supporting Israel [2].
217-0: Republicans’ vote for it [2].
9: Democrats who voted no, including Bush [2].
9 months: how long Tuberville’s hold lasted [3].

What Happened Next

Nine Democrats voted no. The House passed the resolution “supporting the State of Israel” 412-9, with one member voting present. Every no vote came from a Democrat: Reps. Jamaal Bowman, Cori Bush, André Carson, Summer Lee, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, Delia Ramirez and Rashida Tlaib [2].

Tuberville lost the hold but won the policy. On Dec. 5, 2023, he released most of his holds “after a nine-month long protest,” Fox News reported [3]. On Jan. 24, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an order “to end the use of Federal taxpayer dollars to fund or promote elective abortion.” The White House noted that “under President Biden, the Department of Defense reimbursed abortion-related travel expenses” [4].

Four days later, the Pentagon dropped the policy. A Defense Department memo said the change “removes Joint Travel Regulations (JTR), paragraph 033013,” titled “Remove Travel for Non-Covered Reproductive Health Care Services,” effective Jan. 28, 2025 [5].

For the briefing the day before, see HYGO News’ page on “nobody likes my outfit”, and for more of Jean-Pierre’s answers checked against the record, the Karine Jean-Pierre record page.