In a recent development surrounding the Israel-Hamas war, New York Rep. Ritchie Torres, a Democrat, has admitted to mistakenly voting against a resolution condemning Hamas supporters on college campuses. This revelation comes as House lawmakers approved a resolution on Thursday, with an overwhelming majority of 396 to 23 votes, condemning college students’ support of Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist groups.
Torres, known for his advocacy against antisemitism on college campuses, took to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, to publicly acknowledge his error. He expressed regret for his mistaken vote and stated, “I have no use for pro-Hamas protestors, and I despise them with every fiber of my being.” Recognizing the significance of the issue, Torres submitted a correction for the record, emphasizing his commitment to combating antisemitism.
The resolution aims to address rising concerns over antisemitism on university campuses and calls upon administrators to denounce such acts. It also seeks to ensure that Jewish faculty and students can freely express their opinions without facing intimidation. This resolution comes in response to numerous incidents where pro-Palestinian student groups across the United States have endorsed Hamas’ attacks against Israel. Additionally, there have been instances of Jewish individuals on campuses experiencing threats and harassment.
While the resolution received broad bipartisan support, including Republicans and many Democrats, there were notable exceptions. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) was the sole Republican to vote against the resolution, joining over 20 Democrats, including progressive representatives such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jamaal Bowman, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, and Rashida Tlaib. Massie explained his rationale for voting against the resolution, stating, “Free speech means protecting speech you don’t like, not just speech you do like,” and raising questions about the definition of antisemitism.
The revelation of Torres’ mistaken vote has amplified discussions surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict, with some politicians expressing concern over the politicization of aid to Israel. Torres, along with fellow pro-Israel Democrat Rep. Brad Schneider of Illinois, criticized House Speaker Mike Johnson’s $14.3 billion aid package for Israel. They argue that diverting funds from the Internal Revenue Service, as outlined in the Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Act, sets a dangerous precedent and undermines unity during a time of war.
Torres urged the House to vote on a clean bill, free from any controversial provisions, emphasizing the need to send an overwhelmingly bipartisan message of unconditional unity in support of Israel. He expressed his belief that Israel deserves nothing less during its moment of greatest need.
This latest development highlights the complexities and diverse perspectives surrounding the Israel-Hamas war, as well as the ongoing efforts to address antisemitism on college campuses. It underscores the importance of open dialogue and the need for politicians to carefully consider their votes on critical resolutions.
