Rep. Ritchie Torres Leaves Congressional Progressive Caucus Over Stance on Israel

By Hamodia

New York Congressman Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y. 15) has left the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) after splitting with members over their stance on the Israel-Hamas war, The Hill reported on Tuesday. The New York congressman is no longer listed on the caucus’s website.

Torres is known as a staunch supporter of Israel, has left the CPC, a source familiar with the matter confirmed to The Hill on Tuesday. Many of the caucus members support a demand for a cease-fire in the war in Gaza, but Torres has refrained from joining that call. In November, Rep. Lois Frankel (D-Fla. 22) left the CPC, her office confirmed.

Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich. 12), one of the vice chairs of the caucus, has been censured in November by the House of Representative for using the phrase “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” which is understood to be a call for the elimination of Israel. over her criticism of Israel. She has been critical of President Biden’s position on the Gaza war, and on Saturday she urged Michigan residents to vote “uncommitted” in the upcoming Feb. 27 primary, a direct snub to Biden.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash. 7), chairperson of the CPC, has been scrutinized for her comments about Israel, called Israel a “racist state” in July, but has since apologized.