Far-left Twitch streamer Hasan Piker defended his past comments supporting Hamas's "right to resist militarily" against Israel during a CNN interview, while downplaying the group's anti-women and anti-LGBTQ stances.

During an interview with CNN reporter Donie O'Sullivan for the documentary series "The Whole Story With Anderson Cooper," Piker addressed a bipartisan House resolution that condemned his rhetoric. He stated that while Palestinian resistance sometimes violates international law with war crimes, Palestinians "do have a right to resist militarily."

Piker also reiterated a past comparison of Hamas to Israel, calling the militant group "a thousand times better than the fascist settler colonial apartheid state" of Israel. He clarified that voting for Hamas would not be an endorsement of its domestic policies, such as its stance on women's and LGBTQ+ rights, but rather a reflection of the view that Israeli occupation is the primary problem facing Palestinians.

Human rights groups and organizations condemned Piker's remarks. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) stated that Piker's comments, amplified by his 11 million followers, signal that such rhetoric is acceptable when Democratic officials platform him or associate with him. The ADL spokesperson added, "Every candidate and elected official who platforms Piker or associates with him signals that this rhetoric is acceptable. It is not and never should be."

The American Jewish Committee (AJC) also issued a statement, asserting that support for a terrorist organization is not a political viewpoint and crosses a line that should not be breached. The AJC cautioned that giving such rhetoric a platform risks normalizing extremism and endangering the Jewish community.

Piker, who identifies as a socialist and has campaigned with several Democratic politicians, has faced criticism for controversial statements in the past, including a 2019 remark that "America deserved 9/11."

Some Democratic figures have publicly distanced themselves from Piker. Longtime Democratic strategist James Carville has stated he would leave the party if it continued to embrace Piker, suggesting that an "overwhelming majority" of Democrats share his sentiment.