DENVER — Democratic State Rep. Tim Hernandez on Friday apologized for not explicitly denouncing the militant group Hamas in the aftermath of its attack on Israeli civilians.
Hernandez, who was appointed to the Colorado House in August by a vacancy committee, posted a video to the social media platform X with his apology.
"I just want to take a quick minute to make some things real clear. I condemn Hamas and their attack on innocent civilians that was targeted towards Israelis, but has resulted in the in the deaths and murder of Israeli folks, Palestinian folks, Arabs, Americans, and so many others," he said.
"People who are harmed and suffering deserve our respect, and I have to apologize for the way that I caused harm and community by not making that explicitly clear."
Prior to the apology, Hernandez drew criticism from Jewish State Sen. Dafna Michaelson Jenet (D-Commerce City) for his attendance at a rally in support of Palestinian resistance in Gaza soon after last weekend's attack.
He was also criticized online and by other colleagues for "liking" several social media posts that appeared to support the attack by Hamas. He since "unliked" those posts. And in a video circulating on X, formally known as Twitter, Hernandez did not directly condemn the attack.
Hernandez went on to say he spoke with community members this week who have family members in Israel and Gaza, and he understands why people considered his actions harmful.
"So let me be clear, now my values have and always will remain as solidarity and appreciation for the fundamental value of human life and a collective fight against oppression. I also at the same time, reiterate my earlier calls for peace and an end of warfare against both Israeli and Palestinian lives," he said in the video.
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