logo
Brief Publisher Logo
FACT BRIEF

Has a Wisconsin member of Congress openly supported Hamas?

By Tom Kertscher
View this fact brief on Wisconsin Watch
Copy link
email
Copy featured image
email
NO

No Wisconsin member of the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives has declared support for Hamas since the terrorist group attacked Israel Oct. 7, 2023.

Republican U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden, who represents western Wisconsin, claimed Oct. 30 without evidence that at least one Wisconsin member of Congress openly "and actively" supports Hamas. In a Newsmax interview he named Madison area Rep. Mark Pocan.

His office did not reply to Wisconsin Watch's request for information to back his claim.

Among Wisconsin’s two senators and eight House members, three are Democrats:

Sen. Tammy Baldwin called the attacks appalling and said she stands with the Israeli people.

Rep. Gwen Moore of Milwaukee condemned the attacks.

Pocan condemned the attacks. He has also emphasized that not everyone in the Gaza Strip, the focus of Israel’s counterattacks, is Hamas, and called for aid to Gaza civilians.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Archive.is Derrck Van Orden tweet
New York Times Here’s a timeline of Saturday’s attacks and Israel’s retaliation.
US Department of State Foreign Terrorist Organizations
SenatorBaldwin The Hamas terrorist attacks on the Israeli people are appalling.
RepGwenMoore I strongly condemn the violent acts of terrorism committed against the people of Israel by Hamas.
RepMarkPocan I condemn the heinous attacks by Hamas on Israel.
Wisconsin Watch Are most of the 2 million people in Gaza not members of Hamas?
Wisconsin Watch Did U.S. have Israel ambassador at start of Israel-Hamas War?
YouTube Derrick Van Orden interview
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
Wisconsin Watch
Wisconsin Watch, the news arm of the nonpartisan, nonprofit Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, increases the quality and quantity of investigative reporting in Wisconsin, while training current and future investigative journalists. Its work fosters an informed citizenry and strengthens democracy.
FACT BRIEF BY
Brief Publisher Logo
Latest fact briefs from Wisconsin Watch
facebook
twitter
email
email
About fact briefs published on Gigafact
Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.