Rep. Ritchie Torres has been an outspoken supporter of Israel in the Israel-Hamas conflict
Trey Yingst: Israel fighting conflict on multiple fronts as battles expand inside Gaza
Fox News foreign correspondent Trey Yingst reports on the latest as the Israeli military continues offensive across the Gaza Strip on 'Special Report.'
New York Democrat Rep. Ritchie Torres said he wouldn't back down from supporting Israel after activists appeared to vandalize his office on Christmas Day.
Torres, who represents the Bronx in New York City, posted a photo of his office covered in red paint with a baby doll lying in a makeshift manger.
"On Christmas Day, anti-Israel extremists vandalized my Bronx Office with red paint, symbolizing blood. Covered in ‘blood’ is a doll meant to symbolize Jesus, whom the vandals describe as a ‘Palestinian child messiah,’" he wrote on X on December 26.
"The escalation in intimidation and incitement against Members of Congress feels like it is heading in a dangerous direction. I, for one, will not be intimidated," he pledged.
DEMOCRATIC REP. TORRES SAYS ILHAN OMAR'S POLICIES WOULD LEAD TO MORE DEAD ISRAELIS AND PALESTINIANS
Rep. Torres has condemned antisemitism and drawn ire from his progressive colleagues for his stance on the Israel-Hamas war. (Getty)
On Christmas Day, anti-Israel extremists vandalized my Bronx Office with red paint, symbolizing blood.
— Ritchie Torres (@RitchieTorres) December 26, 2023
Covered in “blood” is a doll meant to symbolize Jesus, whom the vandals describe as a “Palestinian child messiah.”
The escalation in intimidation and incitement against… pic.twitter.com/Sj69AMQ1Xt
The Bronx Palestine Solidarity Committee appeared to take credit for the crime on social media.
"We would like to thank Ritchie Torres for articulating so well that the Christian messiah Jesus who was born in Bethlehem is essentially a 'Palestinian child messiah,'" the group wrote on Instagram.
"Also, ALL our homies are anti-Israel! It is NOT extreme to resist colonial occupation and genocide. P.S. Ritchie you forgot to include the sign," the activists' account mocked.
NEW YORK DEM LAWMAKER SPEAKS OUT AGAINST ‘DEEPENING ROT OF ANTISEMITISM’ IN COLLEGES AFTER CORNELL THREATS
Torres has drawn attacks from his progressive colleagues for backing Israel's right to defend itself after the October 7 Hamas terror attack.
In November, he told The New York Times he was on a "mission" to stop the far-left wing of his party from pushing out Democrats who stand for Israel.
"I do worry that the next generation is increasingly indoctrinated with anti-Israel hate so virulent that it renders them indifferent to the coldblooded murder of Jews in Israel," he told the paper.
California congressman David Valadao's Hanford office was vandalized by anti-Israel protesters in November. (@RepDavidValadao)
Anti-Israel activists have also targeted the home of Washington state Democrat Rep. Adam Smith and the office of California Republican Rep. David Valadao.
Valadao posted a picture of his Hanford, California, office covered in "Murdered by Israel" posters and fake blood on Nov. 27.
"This morning, my Hanford office was vandalized by anti-Israel protestors. I strongly support the right to peaceful protest, but violence and vandalism are never acceptable. In a democracy, harassment and intimidation is not how you make your voice heard," Rep. Valadao posted on X.
Rep. Ritchie Torres's office did not immediately return a request for comment by Fox News Digital.
Fox News' Stepheny Price and Adam Sabes contributed to this report.
Kristine Parks is an associate editor for Fox News Digital. Read more.
