Progressive Democrats largely silent on Nasrallah assassination

Some progressive Democratic senators, several of whom have criticized Israel’s war in Gaza, celebrated the news of Israel’s assassination last week of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and other senior members of the terrorist organization, while the majority of left-wing lawmakers in the House refrained from doing so. commenting.

Most progressive and far-left House members have either condemned Israeli military actions in Lebanon without mentioning Hezbollah or have not publicly commented on the developments. Jewish insider contacted more than two dozen progressive lawmakers, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and other supporters of cutting military aid to Israel, for their comments on eliminating the leadership of Hezbollah. (Ocasio-Cortez did not respond to request for comment.)

Those who responded, none of whom were members of the House of Representatives, welcomed the news that Nasrallah and Hezbollah’s top leaders had been eliminated. Besides Ocasio-Cortez, Reps. Mark Pocan (D-WI), Jason Crow (D-CO), and Sara Jacobs (D-CA) also did not respond to requests for comment. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Alex Padilla (D-CA) no more. ), Tina Smith (D-MN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

“Hassan Nasrallah and Hezbollah are responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Israelis and Americans, including 241 members of our U.S. armed forces in 1983. I fully support Israel’s right to defend itself – and that includes targeted attacks against Hezbollah leaders and commanders as part of efforts to prevent Hezbollah from launching missiles at Israel,” said Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.). Jewish insider in a statement.

The Maryland senator is a leading critic of Israel’s war against Hamas; he supported limiting military aid to Israel and accused Israel of deliberately causing a mass famine in Gaza in February.

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), who said last week he would still vote to block the transfer of several offensive weapons systems to Israel because of its conduct in Gaza, told JI he welcomed the news of Nasrallah’s disappearance.

“The death of Hassan Nasrallah, orchestrator of deadly attacks against Americans, Israelis and Lebanese, could open a chapter for a Lebanon governed solely by the Lebanese and freed from the toxic influence of the Iranian terrorist group mandated by Hezbollah” , Kaine said. “The United States should strive to work with its Lebanese and Israeli partners, including the Israeli military and the Lebanese Armed Forces, to limit additional civilian casualties and defuse the spiral of conflict. »

“The most urgent need is a ceasefire and an agreement on the release of hostages in Gaza,” he added.

Kaine has said since February that he believes the Biden administration should only provide Israel with defensive weapons. He noted in his statement last Thursday that he had “requested a pause in the transfer of any offensive weapons due to the serious harm they would likely cause to Palestinian civilians in Gaza and the West Bank.”

“I also believe that the United States’ transfer of more offensive weapons to the region now will accelerate ongoing hostilities, undermining the prospects for a ceasefire and a hostage release agreement at this time. Gaza – the surest path to de-escalation and agreement to release hostages in Gaza. a lasting peace that would ensure the safety and security of the Israeli, Palestinian and Lebanese people, as well as the American military deployed in the Middle East,” we read in this press release.

Leaders of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington criticized Kaine, who is up for re-election next November, for this stance in a statement released Monday.

“As governor and senator, Senator Kaine has been an ally to Israel and Virginia’s Jewish community. We are therefore disappointed that he is jeopardizing Israel’s security by limiting its military capabilities as it faces unprovoked attacks on multiple fronts. We urge Senator Kaine to abandon his support for misguided resolutions that would weaken Israel and strengthen its terrorist enemies, who are also America’s enemies,” Ron Halber, CEO of JCRC of Greater Washington, and Vicki Fishman, Government Director and the Virginia community. relations for the JCRC, said.

“We urge Senator Kaine not to go down this dangerous path and instead provide the support Israel needs to protect its people from existential threats,” Halber and Fishman warned.

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), a progressive engaged in a competitive re-election fight, said in a statement that “Nasrallah was a terrorist who murdered American citizens and thousands of other innocent civilians.”

“I think of all the many victims of Hezbollah terrorism in the Middle East and around the world and I stand with Israel as it defends itself against Iranian-backed terrorist groups like Hezbollah and Hamas “added the Ohio senator.