Blinken grilled about Israel policy
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WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in the hot seat as he testified before the Senate and faced questions about U.S. policy toward Israel.
It comes as tensions between the two countries remain high after the U.S. held a shipment of weapons over Israel’s plans to invade Rafah. There is also uncertainty following the death of Iran’s president.
Police carried protestors out of a Senate hearing as Blinken faced pressure over the administration’s handling of the war between Israel and Hamas.
“We’re standing with Israel in its efforts to ensure that what happened on October 7th never happens again, as we do everything, we can to bring an end to the terrible human suffering in Gaza,” said Blinken
The protestors aren’t the only ones who are upset.
Idaho Republican Senator James Risch criticized the administration for punishing Israel by pausing a weapons shipment.
“You must stop blaming Israel and let Israel remove Hamas from Gaza. That is the only way to move forward,” said Risch.
Democrats, like Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen, are disappointed the administration does not acknowledge that the Israeli government failed to comply with international law.
“Mr. Secretary, that hurts our credibility around the world, and it sets a dangerously low bar for what’s acceptable going forward,” Van Hollen said.
The international criminal court applied for arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and some Hamas leaders.
Blinken says the U.S. stands against it.
“The shameful equivalence implied between Hamas and the leadership of Israel, I think that only complicates the prospects for getting such an agreement,” said Blinken.
Blinken was also asked by Texas Senator Ted Cruz if the world is better now that Iran’s president is dead. Blinken said “yes” and that “the Iranian people are probably better off.”
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