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Rep. Ritchie Torres calls out fellow Dem Ilhan Omar for rhetoric on Israel

Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., called out Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., during an interview on CNN about the conflict in Israel and Gaza.

Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., accused The New York Times of “bias” for a report largely focused on his pro-Israel stance but failed to interview him for the story.

On Saturday, the Times published a story titled “The Gaza War Is Dividing the L.G.B.T.Q. Community” which put a spotlight on the apparent tensions that have bubbled up in the gay community of Fire Island Pines.

Torres, who the Times noted is the first openly gay Afro-Latino member of Congress, was featured on a flag in Trailblazers Park alongside other historic LGBTQ figures for Pride Month. But the flag honoring Torres was quickly torn down by the gay activist group ACT-UP and was replaced with other flags, one of them honoring “queer Palestinians,” according to the Times.

DEMOCRAT RIPS NY MAG ‘ANTI-ISRAEL HIT PIECE’ ON HIM USING WRONG PHOTO: ‘NOT ALL BLACK PEOPLE LOOK THE SAME’

Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., speaks onstage at the March For Israel at the National Mall on Nov. 14, 2023 in Washington, D.C.  (Noam Galai/Getty Images)

 “The author of The NY Times piece — who never bothered to interview me— had a sensational narrative in mind (a divided LGBTQ community!) and found a few quotes from a few fringe figures to confirm the story he wishes to tell,” Torres reacted to the report on X.

The report did cite Torres’ initial response to his flag being taken down, writing earlier this month, “Did it ever occur to them that Hamas is a barbaric oppressor of Queer Palestinians? That a Queer Palestinian is far freer and safer in Israel than in a Gaza Strip ruled by Hamas.”

 “Did the author ever wonder to himself: Is the LGBTQ community truly divided? Or are we mistaking a visible vocal minority for a majority?” Torres continued, slamming the report. 

The Times quoted a pro-Palestinian activist who told the paper, “I think queer people are mostly on one side of the debate,” adding,”It feels like queer people are coming out for Palestine in a really large way.”

“Indeed, members of the L.G.B.T.Q. community overwhelmingly self-identify as politically liberal or moderate, according to polls. A majority of Democrats have disapproved of Israel’s actions since at least last November, one month after the war began, according to Gallup surveys,” the Times then wrote, appearing to agree with the pro-Palestian activist. 

Torres accused The New York Times of “bias” for choosing not to interview him for a story but instead an anti-Israel activist he said was caught “celebrating” Oct. 7. (iStock)

While the paper didn’t interview Torres, the Times did, however, speak with ACT-UP activist Jason Rosenberg, who slammed Torres, saying, “We thought Ritchie was a poor choice to be honored, especially this year, because he has been supporting Israel’s policies.”

Torres, in turn, blasted the Times reporter for giving such a platform to Rosenberg, who he accused of “celebrating” the Oct. 7 terrorist attack by Hamas, sharing a screenshot of Rosenberg sharing another X user’s post reading “rooting for everyone resisting oppression.”

“Although he interviews Jason Rosenberg, who has been caught celebrating October 7th, the author couldn’t be bothered to interview the sitting Congressman who is the very subject of the article. Bias,” Torres wrote.

“Jason Rosenberg celebrated October 7th on October 7th! Yet a NY Times reporter considered him more worthy of an interview than a sitting Congressman who condemns October 7th,” the lawmaker followed with the screenshot from Rosenberg’s X account. 

The New York Times did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital‘s request for comment.

Nova festival survivor Ofir Amir (L) speaks with US Rep. Ritchie Torres (R) during a visit to the Nova festival memorial on April 01, 2024 in Re’im, Israel. The Democratic congressman from the Bronx arrived in Israel for a 48-hour UJA trip with other members from the Bronx community.  (Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images)

Torres has stood out among Democrats on Capitol Hill for his outspoken support of Israel and has repeatedly attacked the media’s anti-Israel bias.

Earlier this month, Torres knocked New York Magazine for what he called an “anti-Israel hit piece” against him that mistakenly used a photo of Democratic New York Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado instead of him.

“If New York Magazine is going to publish an Anti-Israel hit piece by Sarah Jones, then at least do enough due diligence to get the photo right. I am not Antonio Delgado,” Torres scolded the magazine.

“Not all Black people look the same,” he added.

New York Magazine later corrected the image and issued an editor’s note acknowledging the mistake.

Joseph A. Wulfsohn is a media reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected] and on Twitter: @JosephWulfsohn.