The beheading of Israeli babies and rape of Israeli women during the October 7 massacre was propaganda and lies, US Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-New York) said last November in a video discovered by Politico on Tuesday.
In a TikTok video posted by former Westchester County Board of Legislators legislative assistant Amy Vele, Bowman participated in a November Pro-Palestinian protest, calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza war. Bowman addressed the crowd and made several controversial statements.
“There was propaganda used at the beginning of the siege,” he said in the video. “There’s still no evidence of beheaded babies or raped women, but they still keep using that lie.”
In response, he said: “The UN confirmed that Hamas committed rape and sexual violence, a reprehensible fact that I condemn entirely. I also voted yes on Resolution 966, which officially condemns the rape and sexual violence committed by Hamas. So let me be clear and ensure my words are not twisted: I always stand against sexual violence in all forms and stand for peace for all.”
During the footage of the protests, Bowman also said while they called for a ceasefire and the release of Israeli and foreign hostages held by Hamas, terrorists and security prisoners held by Israel had to be released in the same way.
@amyjvele Ceasefire NOW! Todays rally in White Plains with congressman Jamaal Bowman speaking on his call for ceasefire in congress. One of 25 members to call for a ceasefire.. out of 535 members. We’ll see you next Friday! We wont stay silent, we wont let business as usual to continue. We wont be let our elected officials to ignore Israels crimes #protest #freepalestine #ceasefire #westchester #fyp #newyork ♬ original sound - .
“There are several women and children taken by Israel in the West Bank that need to be released as well,” he said.
Bowman accuses Israel of apartheid
Bowman contextualized the conflict with “what’s been happening for 75 years,” claiming that occupation was a war crime, and that Israel was credibly accused of apartheid.
Hamas’s actions on October 7 were war crimes, he said, adding that Israel was compounding these crimes by using white phosphorus as a weapon and calling on Palestinians to evacuate from their homes.
Bowman said he was calling for a ceasefire because he did not want more Israelis or Palestinians to die. He said some people were holding some lives in value above others.
Bowman also called for the separation of people from their governments, adding that one should not hold people responsible for their state’s actions.
“We have to separate the actions of the Israeli government from the Jewish people,” he said. “Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people.”
During the same protest, the video shows that pro-Palestinian protesters chanted, “Resistance is justified when people are occupied,” and “Biden, Biden you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide.”