HARRISBURG — Facing pushback from Muslim organizations, Gov. Josh Shapiro on Friday stood by his strong condemnation of Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel that killed 1,300 people last weekend, as emotional reactions in Pennsylvania to a new war in the Middle East intensified.
Shapiro, the state’s third Jewish governor, early in the week called the attacks abhorrent and said, “We stand in solidarity against terror and are praying for all people in Israel.” A response from a statewide group of Muslim organizations that included some in Pittsburgh said Shapiro had “failed to represent, recognize, and respect all Pennsylvanians.”
On Friday morning, Manuel Bonder, a spokesperson for Shapiro, indicated the governor stood by his initial statement. Shapiro, he said, had agreed to a meeting with Muslim community leaders before they released their comments to the public. Bonder said the offer remains open.
“The governor firmly stands by his public comments and his core belief that there is no moral equivalency between Hamas — a terrorist organization — and Israel,” Bonder said. “In the face of these crimes against humanity, we all must speak with moral clarity and support Israel’s right to defend itself.”
The White House said 27 American citizens died in the attack and another 14 are missing.
The attacks on Israel by Hamas originated from the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian territory that is home to about two million people, ruled by Hamas and under a years-long blockade by Israel and Egypt. Israel has responded with massive airstrikes that have resulted in many deaths. Reports on Friday indicated nearly 1,800 people have died there.
Meanwhile, Israel is reportedly amassing ground forces along the border with Gaza for a potential attack against Hamas.
Shapiro got support from Sen. Judy Schwank, D-Berks and co-chair of the recently created Pennsylvania Jewish Legislative Caucus. On Friday, she said she was certain Shapiro had no intention of dismissing the concerns and desire for safety of the Palestinian people.
Her voice choking with emotion, Ms. Schwank said, “For American Jews, Israel is our heart. It is considered our homeland.” She added, “Viscerally, it is so important to us. I honestly think it is part of our DNA.”
At the same time, she said, prospects for peace appeared grim. “I fear this conflict is escalating and there is going to be a significant loss of life, both for Israelis and Palestinians.”
The public letter to Shapiro that attacked his position was released by the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh chapters of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Among organizations that signed on to the letter were CAIR-Pittsburgh, Attawheed Islamic Center in Carnegie, Muslim Association of Pittsburgh, and the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh.
“We are the Muslim community leaders hailing from all corners of Pennsylvania,” the letter said. “We are proud Muslims and Pennsylvanians. We are deeply disturbed and disappointed with your statements in reaction to the recent cycle of violence in Palestine and Israel.”
The letter added, “Words matter, Governor Shapiro. The rhetoric coming from our elected officials create a context where anti- Muslim and anti-Arab hate found flourishing ground and we are concerned for our communities.”
A spokesperson for Sen. Jay Costa, D-Allegheny, and minority leader in the Senate, said he supports a call from Ms. Schwank and Sen. Steve Santarsiero, D-Bucks, for a Senate resolution condemning the attacks. A memo paving the way for the proposed resolution called the attacks “unprovoked and repugnant.”
The other co-chair of the Pennsylvania Jewish Legislative Caucus is Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny.
Asked about his feelings on the increasingly tense situation, a spokesperson for Frankel directed a reporter to a social media post made by Frankel on Tuesday. It said, “Murderous violence, sexual violence and kidnapping are tools of terror, not political protest. Anyone who refuses to acknowledge the evil of these actions is no friend to or advocate for humanity.”
