Do NOT "both sides" this': Nancy Pelosi's daughter slams 'Squad' Democrat congresswoman Pramila Jayapal's call for 'balanced' condemnation of Hamas rapes to shocked CNN host

Nancy Pelosi's daughter joined condemnation of Dem 'Squad' lawmaker Pramila Jayapal after she made comments Sunday calling for a 'balanced' approach to criticism of Hamas for the rapes of Israeli women. 

'Do not minimize, excuse, “balance” or “both sides” sexual assault - that is victim blaming we have spent decades trying to undo in the laws, the courts and the hearts and minds of the people,' tweeted Chrisine Pelosi on Sunday afternoon, an apparent slight aimed at Jayapal.

Prominent cable commentator and Democratic attorney Dave Aronberg responded to Jayapal by writing: 'When you tie yourself into knots to defend rapists, you’ve lost your moral authority #RapeIsNotResistance.'

And CNN anchor Bianna Golodryga posted on X: 'Individual acts of rape from lack of discipline, which tragically does occur in war, is different than “preconceived and premeditated” rapes, which as one leading expert told me was Hamas’ plan.' 

Jayapal made the offending comments during an appearance on CNN's State of the Union with Dana Bash, prompting hard pushback from the host herself.  

Bash pushed Jayapal to condemn Hamas' barbaric use of sexual violence against Israeli women during the October 7 massacre.

Jayapal, a representative from Washington state and a member of the so-called 'Squad,' said she had previously spoken out against Hamas' brutal crimes against women before flipping back to a talking point that targeted Israel. 

Progressive women and women's advocacy groups have been questioned in the wake of October 7 for failing to unequivocally condemn Hamas' use of rape as a weapon of war. 

Bash said to the congresswoman: 'I want to ask you about sexual violence, and it’s kind of remarkable that this issue hasn’t gotten enough attention, globally. Widespread use of rape, brutal rape, sexual violence against Israeli women by Hamas.

'I’ve seen a lot of progressive women, generally speaking, they’re quick to defend women’s rights and to speak out against using rape as a weapon of war, but downright silent on what we saw on October 7. And what might be happening inside Gaza right now to these hostages. Why is that?'

Jayapal responded: 'I don't know that that's true. I think we always talk about the impact of war on women in particular,' insisting she had specifically condemned the actions of Hamas terrorists.

'But I think we have to remember Israel is a democracy. That is why they’re a strong ally of ours,' continued Jayapal.

She later added: 'Terrorist organizations like Hamas obviously are using these as tools. However, I think we have to be balanced about bringing in the outrages against Palestinians. Fifteen thousand Palestinians have been killed in Israeli air strikes, three-quarters of whom are women and children.'

Multiple members of the media saw Jayapal's segment with Bash and offered their criticism of the progressive lawmaker's wishy-washy stance on terrorists employing rape as a weapon of war.

Fox News' Democratic strategist Jessica Tarlov called Jayapal's position 'beyond f**ked up,' adding that any primary challenge she faces will be well deserved.

Republican Party defector and one-time presidential candidate Joe Walsh wrote: 'I always assumed EVERYONE believed raping women, engaging in sexual violence against women, and sexually torturing girls as young as 13 yrs old was unequivocally bad, wrong, & evil. PERIOD. NO IF’S, AND’S, OR BUT’S.'

'I didn’t realize until October 7th that, for @RepJayapal & so many others on the left, there’s an exception to this rule when it comes to raping & sexually torturing JEWISH women & girls.'

Jayapal's communications team seemed to realize at some point that the lawmaker's comments had landed her in seriously hot water, because in the afternoon, her official X account posted a clip from the interview clarifying that politician believes 'Hamas is a terrorist organization that needs to be taken out.'

'The way to do that is to create a strong and durable coalition of allies in the Middle East that ensures a Palestinian state while providing safety and security for both Israelis and Palestinians in the region.' 

In October, Jayapal voted 'present' on a House Resolution supporting Israel in the wake of the Hamas attacks.

She has previously been forced to apologize after facing backlash for calling the Israeli government 'racist.'

In response to her comments on Sunday, Bash confronted Jayapal about her inability to stay on topic when discussing Hamas' sexual crimes.

'With respect, I was just asking about the women, and you turned it back to Israel. I’m asking you about Hamas,' said Bash.

'I already answered your question, Dana,' the representative responded. 'I said it’s horrific, and I think that rape is horrific. Sexual assault is horrific. I think that it happens in war situations.' 

'But you don't see Israeli soldiers raping Palestinian women,' said Bash.

'I don’t want this to be the hierarchies of oppressions,' said the congresswoman. 'This is not the way that we are going to beat terrorism.'

Progressive women's rights organizations across the globe, including those at the head of the #MeToo movement and most recently those headaing up the UN Women group, have been criticized heartily for failing to loudly condemn Hamas' use of mass rape.

Just last week, nearly two months after the horrific October 7 attack, UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced that the organization would be investigating Hamas' use of sexual violence against Israeli women.

'There are numerous accounts of sexual violence during the abhorrent acts of terror by Hamas on 7 October that must be vigorously investigated and prosecuted,' he said.

'Gender-based violence must be condemned. Anytime. Anywhere.'

The UN Women's organization has previously failed to take a definitive stance on Hamas' use of rape against Israeli women.