The House will vote on a resolution Tuesday defending Israel from racism charges and condemning antisemitism in all its forms. This is a response to recent comments made by Rep. Pramila Jajapal (D-Wash. ), which caused a firestorm of controversy on Capitol Hill, just days before Israel’s president addresses Congress.

Jayapal, head of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), referred to Israel at a Saturday conference as a “racist state.” This led to widespread condemnation by both parties. She issued a public apologize and triggered a rare public censure by Democratic leaders.

These efforts have not been enough to satisfy House Republicans who are pushing ahead with a Resolution designed to affirm Congress’ support for Israel – and to highlight the Democratic divides on the controversial issue of Israeli policies towards Palestinians.

The resolution, which is one page long and sponsored by Rep. August Pfluger from Texas, says that Israel “is not a racist state or apartheid,” and rejects any form of antisemitism or xenophobia. It also asserts that the United States “will always be a staunch supporter and partner of Israel.” House majority leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana confirmed this. The House confirmed Tuesday that it will vote on this resolution.

Pfluger stated Monday evening that “Her remarks are only the latest in an unfortunate series of comments made in this party.” This resolution would confirm our relationship — it would reject any notion that Israel was a racist country, as she and others have claimed in the past.

In the past, the House has passed similar resolutions numerous times. Pfluger’s resolution, however, may set up a difficult vote for Democrats who have criticised the Israeli government’s policies toward Palestinians by using the exact same language as the resolution condemns.

Cori Bush, a member of the progressive Squad (D-Mo. ), was asked about Jayapal’s initial remarks on Monday. A member of the progressive Squad pointed out that Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International are two non-government organisations who have published literature that suggests Israel is an Apartheid State.

Bush told reporters at the Capitol: “These organizations we know, we respect and that are respected around the world, say it’s an apartheid country.” “Apartheid is when one group, or one group, is given priority over another.”

She added, “If they’re an apartheid country, then they need to improve.” “They don’t wish to be apartheid states? What is going on with our Blacks, African Jews, do we take care of them? Are we taking good care of our Palestinians? “Treat everyone the same — we won’t need to call you all.”

Republicans are claiming that the resolution is a no brainer, and they are embracing the Democratic divisions which have been playing out over the past few days.

It should be a simple vote. Scalise asked on Twitter: “Will Dems stand by our ally, or will they capitulate to anti-Semitic extremists within their own party?”

Some Democrats, despite any differences in their caucus, predict that they will vote for the resolution overwhelmingly.

“I’m voting for it,” Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) said Monday evening. “I don’t know anyone else who isn’t voting for it.” It’s an easy resolution.

Jayapal made her comments at the progressive conference sponsored by Netroots Nation in Chicago, over the weekend. When pressed by Palestinian activists, Jayapal stated that liberals in Congress have “fought to make it clear Israel is a racism state and that the Palestinian people deserves self-determination, autonomy, and freedom.”

Rep. Jan Schakowsky, a liberal Jewish legislator from Illinois, who was also present at the forum, claimed that the activist group had been targeting her for many years. They picketed her home and refused to leave the district office. Schakowsky said Jayapal had been standing up to “an attack against me” for years.

Schakowsky stated, “It was a group of people who went after me – a Jewish member that has always been friendly to Palestinians.” It was a fraught environment. She said that this was not the right person to pursue and has since retracted some of her statements.

“Pramila Jayapal isn’t antisemitic.” She does not oppose a Jewish state in Israel.

Schakowsky accused Republicans exploiting this episode for political gain.

She said: “This is now being viewed as an opportunity for Republicans to blow up this thing in a manner that they absolutely shouldn’t.” “That’s why I am more upset than by any of the insults that were directed at me during that event.”

The vote on Tuesday comes just one day before Israeli president Isaac Herzog delivers a speech to a joint session of Congress. This is a high profile event that many progressives plan to miss in protest against the conservative government’s policy towards Palestinians, and the controversial judicial reforms supported by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration.

Bush will be joining Democratic Reps. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (N.Y.), Jamaal bowman (N.Y.), and Raul Girijalva (Ariz.), in not attending the speech.

Bush announced on Monday night that he would boycott the event.

Jayapal, the Democratic whip, was seen on Monday huddling with Rep. Katherine Clark in a lively conversation. The Democratic whip.

Jayapal, who led the Progressive Caucus, said that she had not received any pushback from the members. She described the conversations with the other legislators as “lovely and companionable discussions about our unity as the Democratic Caucus.”

She has not said if she plans to attend Herzog’s speech on the Wednesday.