Katherine Clark, No. 2 House Democrat, takes back Gaza ‘genocide’ comment
Katherine Clark, the No. 2 House Democrat and House Minority Whip, has retracted a recent statement in which she described Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocide.” Clark said she used the term during a response at an event but clarified that she is not accusing Israel of genocide. She emphasized the urgent need to secure the release of hostages, increase aid to Palestinians, oppose forced relocations, remove Hamas from power, and end the conflict. Clark, who supports Israel’s right to self-defense and condemns Hamas’s October 7 attacks, is listed as a supporter of Israel on the AIPAC website. Recent ceasefire efforts between Israel and Gaza, including prisoner exchanges, have intensified amid ongoing conflict and Israel’s plans to take control of Gaza.
Katherine Clark, No. 2 House Democrat, takes back Gaza ‘genocide’ comment
House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-MA) walked back a statement last week in which she referred to the actions Israel has taken in Gaza as genocide.
The No. 2 House Democrat told the Jewish News Syndicate this week that she “repeated the word ‘genocide’” while responding to a question during an event hosted by the Friends Committee on National Legislation in her district.
During the event, Clark told attendees to “take action in time to make a difference … whether that is stopping the starvation and genocide and destruction of Gaza, or whether that means we are working together to stop the redistricting that is going on, taking away the vote from people in order to retain power,” according to Politico.
But in a statement confirmed by the Washington Examiner on Tuesday, the minority whip said she wanted to be “clear that I am not accusing Israel of genocide.”
“We all need to work with urgency to bring the remaining hostages home, surge aid to Palestinians and oppose their involuntary relocation, remove Hamas from power and end the war,” she continued.
Clark is listed on the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s website, among other House leadership colleagues, where it reads “we stand with those who stand with Israel.” She has condemned Hamas for the Oct. 7 attack against Israel. The Massachusetts Democrat traveled to Israel with AIPAC’s sister foundation in 2015.
“I strongly condemn the vicious terrorist attack by Hamas against innocent civilians in Israel,” Clark said on the AIPAC website. “The violence is unprovoked and appalling, and I send prayers to the families in mourning and communities under siege. House Democrats stand with our ally and friend, Israel.”
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“We unequivocally support Israel’s sovereignty and its right to defend itself,” she continued.
Efforts for a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza have escalated over the last week after Israel announced new plans to seize Gaza after nearly two years since the Oct. 7 attack. The ceasefire proposal includes “200 Palestinian convicts jailed in Israel and an unspecified number of imprisoned women and minors, in return for 10 living and 18 deceased hostages from Gaza,” Reuters reported Tuesday.
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