Will County Gazette

State Sen. Rachel Ventura (D-Joliet) is being criticized following the recent attack on Israeli civilians by Hamas.

Ventura had signed a letter with 15 other Democrat colleagues in the state house, linking the attack to "inequality."

“I think that it was so distasteful that within hours of the worst massacre of Jews in a single day since the Holocaust, Rachel Ventura is out there making a false equivalency for the entire world to see,” Joliet resident Tina McGrath told Will County Gazette.

“I witnessed mass riots now in the Middle East. We have marches in which college kids are chanting, ‘Gas the Jews.’ For her to issue a statement like she did is just reckless and unbecoming of an elected official. Really, really distasteful. And it makes me really question her position. She's another one who needs to be voted out.”

Ventura signed a letter along with Democrat colleagues in the state house noting the attack from Hamas on Israeli civilians stemmed from “inequality.”

“We will not be able to achieve peace when millions of Palestinians are denied basic human rights. We urge the United States and the international community to work toward long-term solutions that end the inequality that is at the root cause of the violence,” the letter reads in part.

The letter was signed by 16 members of the Democratic caucus in Springfield.

Illinois GOP Chairman Don Tracy was unequivocal in his rebuke to the signatories of the letter.

“The Hamas attack and slaughter of young people at a concert, and their massacre of families, children, babies, and grandparents in southern Israel is an evil atrocity. There can be no justification for the unprovoked slaughter of innocents, and the hate that permeates ideologies that nonetheless seek to justify evil.

“That is precisely what 16 Democrat leaders did earlier this week.”

“The inability of these elected officials to call out evil as evil, and their disgusting attempt to justify evil, should disqualify these individuals from holding public office in Illinois.”

“We call on Governor Pritzker and all Democrats of good faith to disavow this statement and to call on the individuals that made it to either withdraw and apologize or retire from public life.”

“Hate should have no home in Illinois — and the Democrat Party should not be a safe haven for those who would justify the slaughter of innocents.”

The attack by Hamas on Israelis civilians notably received support from leftists.

BLM Chicago notably posted a graphic of a hang gliding militant, a nod to how many of the terrorists entered Israeli territory with the caption, “I stand with Palestine.”

BLM Chicago later partially walked back the controversial post celebrating Hamas' actions in Israel, acknowledging that the deleted graphic wasn't something they were proud of.

This came as BLM Global Network Foundation distanced itself from the Chicago chapter and BLM Grassroots, which faced criticism for posts related to the Hamas attack and was accused of glorifying the terrorists.

The New York City branch of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) held a rally, which took place as the conflict in Israel was ongoing, featured inflammatory chants and behavior, including waving pictures of dead bodies and hostages, and even a swastika.

The event has received strong condemnation from mainstream New York politicians, and it is suggested that it will likely diminish the DSA's influence in the city.