Democratic Rep. Ritchie Torres, a vocal opponent of antisemitism, has issued a sharp critique of those unwilling to condemn Hamas for the horrific actions it committed on October 7, 2023, labeling them as unworthy of the humanitarian title. In a recent post on X, Torres stated that refusing to denounce Hamas for its acts of violence against Jews and Israelis renders individuals ineligible to claim the humanitarian label. He argued that any humanitarianism that diminishes the value of Jewish lives is fundamentally flawed and devoid of true compassion.
Torres, who has been a staunch supporter of Israel, emphasized that the core issue in the ongoing conflict is the role of Hamas, a terrorist organization that initiated the violence. In a statement this month, he condemned the international community for its tendency to blame Israel while overlooking Hamas’ role in starting and perpetuating the war. He stated, “The singular stumbling block to ending the war is the terrorist organization that barbarically began it: Hamas. Scapegoating Israel is so second nature to the international community that Hamas’ role in precipitating and perpetuating the war has been all but forgotten.”
Additionally, Torres has been critical of what he perceives as far-left influences within the Democratic Party, particularly the impact of college-educated elites on the party’s direction. In a recent post, he described antisemitism as “the deadliest disease ever to afflict the human heart.” He further stated, “If Israel is the sole country in the Middle East—indeed the world—for which you reserve the label ‘apartheid’—then your use of the term is probably propagandistic rather than principled and your purpose is not constructive criticism but the destructive delegitimation of Israel as a Jewish State.”
His comments reflect a broader sentiment within the Democratic Party, though he is not the only representative with such strong views. Other notable Democrats, including Rep. John Fetterman, have also expressed frustration with what they see as the growing hostility toward Israel in the party’s leadership. In a recent remark, Fetterman said, “F— that” amid bipartisan backlash over the targeting of Israel’s leaders by U.S. officials. Torres’ continued advocacy against antisemitism and his support for Israel underscore his position as a progressive voice within the party, but one who is increasingly concerned with the shifting dynamics of American foreign policy.