Republican Says US Ought to Finish All Army Assist to Israel

[ad_1] Republican Consultant Thomas Massie of Kentucky stated Thursday night time that the USA ought to cease all army assist to Israel, citing mounting civilian casualties within the Gaza Strip.

Newsweek reached out to Massie's workplace through electronic mail Thursday for remark.

Why It Issues Tensions within the Center East stay excessive regardless of ongoing ceasefire negotiations between the Israeli authorities and Hamas, with the U.S. performing as a key interlocutor. Tens of hundreds of individuals in Gaza have died on account of Israel's warfare in opposition to Hamas, which was launched in response to Hamas' assault in Israel on October 7, 2023.

President Donald Trump, in the meantime, has repeatedly instructed that the U.S. "take over the Gaza Strip," including at a information briefing alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: "We'll personal it and be liable for dismantling all the harmful unexploded bombs and all the different weapons on the positioning."

Requested about the potential of sending U.S. troops into Gaza, Trump stated: "So far as Gaza is worried, we'll do what is important, if it is necessary, we'll try this."

Consultant Thomas Massie (R-KY) is seen talking to reporters following a collection of votes on the U.S. Capitol on March 11, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Photograph by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Photos) Consultant Thomas Massie (R-KY) is seen talking to reporters following a collection of votes on the U.S. Capitol on March 11, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Photograph by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Photos) What To Know Massie's remarks about ceasing U.S. army assist to Israel come because the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Basis (GHF) faces intense criticism over what critics describe as a chaotic strategy to assist distribution.

Video footage and photographs posted to social media have proven hundreds of Palestinians scrambling for meals amid studies of Israeli gunfire and a number of casualties.

In his submit to X on Thursday, the Kentucky lawmaker stated, "Nothing can justify the variety of civilian casualties (tens of hundreds of girls and kids) inflicted by Israel in Gaza within the final two years. We should always finish all U.S. army assist to Israel now."

Massie has lengthy been outspoken about his views of Israel and was the one Republican to vote in opposition to a invoice condemning antisemitism in 2022.

The Kentucky Republican later defended his vote on X, previously Twitter, saying, "I do not hate anybody primarily based on his or her ethnicity or faith."

"Legit authorities exists, partially, to punish those that commit unprovoked violence in opposition to others, however authorities cannot legislate thought," Massie added. "This invoice promoted web censorship and violations of the first modification."

In March 2024, Massie voted in opposition to a invoice that will have pressured then-President Joe Biden to approve extra army help to Israel.

Final October, whereas Israel was finishing up its army marketing campaign in Lebanon, Massie posted on X: "If Israel insists on destroying civilian targets in Lebanon, allow them to purchase and construct their very own weapons. American taxpayers shouldn't be funding this."

Massie isn't any stranger to criticism, together with from members of his personal social gathering. He is repeatedly voted "no" on congressional finances proposals backed by the Republican Celebration. Most lately, he drew President Donald Trump's and senior GOP lawmakers' ire when he voted in opposition to the Trump-backed invoice that lately handed the Home of Representatives, arguing that it will balloon the nationwide deficit.

Nothing can justify the variety of civilian casualties (tens of hundreds of girls and kids) inflicted by Israel in Gaza within the final two years. We should always finish all U.S. army assist to Israel now.