“That’s the kind of person I am”

WASHINGTON (TN) — Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.), a member of the ultra-progressive congressional group The Squad, apologized Wednesday for his previous comments defending Hamas against allegations that it raped women during the Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

Social media videos of the New York Democrat show him speaking to a crowd about the conflict in Gaza in November. In the clip, he refutes allegations that Hamas rapes women, calling them “propaganda.”

“There is still no evidence of babies being beheaded or women being raped, but they continue to use this lie and propaganda anyway,” Rep. Bowman said in November, to which the crowd responded with cheers and shouts of “Yes!”

However, during an appearance on radio station WNYC this week, the “Squad” member apologized for such comments.

“As soon as the UN presented additional evidence, I voted to condemn the sexual violence,” said Rep. Bowman. “I apologize for my comments and now we will continue our work to combat sexual violence and domestic violence in all its forms.”

I think that’s representative of the kind of person I am and the kind of representative I’ve tried to be,” he continued. “I’m not going to be perfect, I’m going to make mistakes, I’m going to say things that hurt people even if I don’t intend to, and when I do, I’m going to take responsibility for it.”

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Rep. Bowman was one of 13 Democrats who voted against a resolution condemning Iran’s attack on Israel in April. Senator John Fetterman (D-Penn.) condemned the move, saying, “I honestly thought I would never see members of my party refuse to condemn Iran – one of the world’s largest sponsors of terror – after it launched hundreds of drones against our special ally, Israel.”

“No words,” the senator added.

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