Dem Sen. Chris Murphy Attacks Israel For Endangering U.S. National Security With Civilian Deaths In Gaza

From Politico:

Sen. Chris Murphy on Tuesday said the substantial number of Palestinian civilians killed in Gaza could endanger U.S. national security. Appearing on MSNBC, the Connecticut Democrat cited a United Nations report that an estimated 75 percent of Palestinian casualties have been civilians, saying the statistic could be used as a recruiting tool for America’s enemies. 

“That is a problem for Israel,” he said. “But it’s a problem for the United States, as well, which is why we have to be so concerned about this. This is bulletin board material, stuff for people that are recruiting folks to the fight against Israel but also against the West in general.” 

The senator also appeared to take a jab at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Murphy expressed pessimism in a long-term peace deal, saying that anything “more substantial” would not come under Israel and Palestine’s current leaders. 

“It’s been clear for a long time that you don’t have the leadership right now — either on the Israeli side or on the Palestinian side — in order to do anything more than that,” he said, referred to an immediate, short-term ceasefire. 

“I think we are in a position of essentially waiting for new leadership on both sides in order to do anything more substantial on the peace process.”