A Colorado legislator condemned Hamas for its violent attacks on Israel and apologized for the “harm I have caused to many in the Jewish community and the Israeli community this week.” 

Tim Hernandez, D-Denver, who participated in a pro-Palestine gathering on the west steps of the state Capitol a day after the deadly Hamas attacks on Israel, faced calls for reprimand from Republicans. His Democratic colleagues also called for Hernandez to explain his decision to join the rally.

Rookie legislator’s support for Palestine in wake of attacks draws Gold Dome criticism

Nearly a week later, Hernandez apologized on X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter. 

In a video posted on his account on Friday afternoon, Hernandez condemned Hamas for attacking civilians and said he was sorry for his actions. 

“People who are harmed and suffering deserve our respect and I have to apologize for the way that I caused harm in the community by not making that explicitly clear,” Hernandez said.

The Hamas terrorist group attacked Israel on Saturday, killing around 1,300 people as of Thursday. The initial attack is believed to be the largest number of Jewish people murdered in a single day since the Holocaust. Retaliatory strikes from Israel have killed around 1,900 in Palestine.

House Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, and Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge, earlier said they had several conversations with Hernandez and were “deeply disappointed that when there was doubt, he chose not to explicitly condemn” the attacks. 

Rep. Steven Woodrow also posted on X: “So-called progressives seriously asking ‘what were Palestinians supposed to do?’ as if taking hostages, beheading children and massacring concertgoers was the only option.” Rep. David Ortiz responded, “This has been really disgusting and painful. Imagine fighting a whole global conflict based on global terror only to have your fellow Americans equivocate, waffle or outright celebrate it.” 

In addition to attending the rally, Hernandez “liked” a series of tweets on X, appearing to support the Hamas attack as an act of resistance. He had since “unliked” those posts.

On Tuesday, Hernandez tweeted that he went to Saturday’s rally to support the Palestinian people and not Hamas. He refrained from condemning Hamas’ attacks.

In his two-minute video on X, Hernandez said he had been meeting with members of the Jewish community with family who had been killed in Israel, as well as speaking with Palestinians whose loved ones in Gaza await the “impending Israeli response.”

“I liked tweets that were harmful, and my lack of condemnation when I was asked a question at a rally during a tense exchange led people with a lot of painful questions,” he added. 

“Being in community this week … I think it’s very clear that Jews, Palestinians and Arabs in Palestine and Israel are continuing to suffer. And I understand now that my public actions and lack of clarity caused harm to our community and that’s not good,” he said.    

There is no rule that prohibits legislative house members from participating in a rally or protest. Still, several of Hernandez’s legislative colleagues bemoaned his actions and called for a censure.

Hernandez said he’s committed to having healing conversations.

“Leaders have to be clear on our values,” he said.