WASHINGTON, July 16 (Reuters) - Representative Pramila Jayapal, who heads a large group of progressive Democrats in the U.S. Congress, on Sunday apologized for calling Israel a racist state as Democratic leaders in the House of Representatives pushed back against her initial declaration.
"I do not believe the idea of Israel as a nation is racist," Jayapal said in a statement.
On Saturday, Jayapal made her initial remarks - labeling Israel a "racist state" - at a conference held in Chicago where pro-Palestine protesters were interrupting a panel discussion, according to media reports.
In a separate statement on Sunday, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and three of his top leadership aides said that "Israel is not a racist state," in an apparent rebuke to Jayapal.
Some members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus have signaled that they might not attend the event.
Persons:
Pramila Jayapal, Israel, Jayapal, Benjamin, Netanyahu’s, Hakeem Jeffries, Jeffries, Isaac Herzog, Joe Biden, Israel's, Richard Cowan
Organizations:
U.S . Congress, Democratic, U.S . House Republican, U.S . House, Congressional Progressive Caucus, Jewish Diaspora, Thomson
Locations:
Israel, Chicago, Palestine