Jayapal votes 'present' on resolution to support Israel, condemn Hamas

U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, a Washington Democrat, voted "present" Wednesday on a House resolution to support Israel and condemn attacks by Hamas militants.

In a statement, Jayapal said the resolution ignored the impact of violence in Gaza on Palestinians.

“I cannot in good conscience vote for a resolution that ignores these critical factors and the humanitarian impact on Palestinian civilians and their families as this war has unfolded and escalated," she said. "I am voting present to be clear that while I still condemn Hamas’s attacks and the pain and suffering of the Jewish people everywhere, I also condemn the violations of international humanitarian law by Israel and the pain and suffering of Palestinian people everywhere that are not recognized anywhere in this resolution.”

More than 6,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's bombings of Gaza. The Gaza Health Ministry has claimed about half of the dead are children, though President Joe Biden has said he has "no confidence" in the Hamas-controlled agency's count. Tens of thousands more have injured and displaced as they flee the violence.

More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed, many of whom died in the initial attack by Hamas on Oct. 7. Thousands more were injured and more than 200 people were taken hostage.

Jayapal was one of six House Democrats who voted "present" on House Resolution 771. The other nine members of Washington state's congressional delegation voted for the resolution.

Nine other Democrats voted against the resolution.

Jayapal has also joined calls for a ceasefire, which U.S. officials oppose.