White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre repeatedly praised Democratic Washington lawmaker Pramila Jayapal’s apology, calling Israel a “racist” state as “unacceptable”.

Jayapal said the Jewish state was “racist” while attending the Netroots Nation conference in Chicago on Saturday, but was interrupted by Palestinian protesters. Lawmakers in Washington apologized after members of their party, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, criticized him for his remarks.

Fox News’ White House correspondent Jackie Heinrich put pressure on Jean-Pierre about a fellow Democrat’s remarks. The spokesperson first confirmed the administration’s commitment to Israel.

“The president was very clear,” Jean-Pierre began. “As I said at the outset, the relationship between the United States and Israel is special. So that’s one of the reasons why the president spoke with the prime minister yesterday and had this important meeting with the president of Israel, they will have a conversation and discuss how we will continue to develop that special relationship. intend to.”

“The reason I ask is because yesterday Kirby said you were happy she apologized, but I didn’t hear any condemnation from the White House for her comments. Condemn it?” asked Heinrich.

“The apology was the right thing to do, and when it comes to anti-Semitism, this administration and the Biden Harris administration as a whole made it clear that Israel should be given special mention because of anti-Semitic hatred, that’s the problem. “It’s anti-Semitism and it’s unacceptable,” Jean-Pierre said. (Related: ‘They need to do something’: House Speaker McCarthy responds to Democrats’ ‘anti-Semitic’ remarks)

Heinrich again asked if the White House would condemn the comments. The spokesman reiterated that Jayapal apologized, then added that the comments were anti-Semitic.

“I didn’t ask you yes or no to that question, but in another sense, the House is voting today on a resolution that Israel is neither a racist nor an apartheid state. The White House said that resolution Do you want strong support for the plan?” asked Heinrich.

“First of all, we condemn anti-Semitism. Whenever there is anti-Semitic hatred, we condemn it,” the spokesperson said. “We have a clear answer, that is the answer to your question. No, the president is meeting with the president of Israel right now.”

Heinrich also put pressure on Jean-Pierre about questions from Democrats denouncing the remarks, causing the spokesperson to go on the defensive.

“We make it clear that whenever Israel is accused of anti-Semitic hatred, it is indeed anti-Semitism and is unacceptable,” Jean-Pierre said. “That is unacceptable.”

Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar, known for his controversial remarks about Israel, defended his colleagues’ remarks, accusing Congress of suppressing “black and brown” language.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog met On Tuesday, he met with President Joe Biden at the White House to address tensions between the Biden administration and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The New York Times reports that Biden is frustrated with Netanyahu’s position on Israeli settlements and overhauling the country’s judicial system.