Jewish Rep Demands Obama Fire State Dept Spokesman for Accusing Israel of Terrorism
‘He should absolutely not utter one more word on behalf of America’s foreign policy’
State Department Spokesman John Kirby / AP
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Rep. Lee Zeldin (R., N.Y.) demanded that President Obama replace State Department Spokesman John Kirby for accusing Israel of terrorism amid increased terror attacks at the hands of Palestinians there.
“It is absolutely disgusting and shameful that the Obama administration not only refuses to stand strong with our ally in Israel, but actually has the audacity to claim that the Israelis are guilty of terrorism,” Zeldin said in a statement Thursday.
Kirby on Wednesday said that Israelis are guilty of “acts of terrorism” when discussing the heightened violence in Israel, a move that Zeldin said “warrants his immediate removal.” Dozens of Israelis have been wounded and at least three murdered in attacks by Palestinians and Arab-Israeli terrorists in recent days.
“Individuals on both sides of this divide are–have proven capable of, and in our view, are guilty of acts of terrorism,” Kirby told reporters Wednesday.
Zeldin, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and co-chair of the House Republican Israel Caucus, called the Obama administration’s accusation an embarrassment and an untrue statement that will only distance the United States from its “important and strategic ally.”
“Admiral Kirby’s accusation warrants his immediate removal. He should absolutely not utter one more word on behalf of America’s foreign policy. If Secretary John Kerry refuses to speak out and discipline Mr. Kirby than Secretary Kerry needs to step aside as well,” Zeldin stated.
“Innocent Israelis are being attacked and murdered by terrorists. We must stand with Israel now more than ever.”
The congressman also suggested that the White House is turning a “blind eye” toward the situation in Israel and Hamas’ increasing influence over the Palestinian Authority.
“This is not about the U.S. fighting Israel’s battles for them,” Zeldin said. “This is about the shameful, reluctance of the Obama administration to strengthen relationships with allies around the globe like Israel because of a twisted understanding of who America’s friends are and who are our enemies.”
In a series of terror attacks in and around Jerusalem Tuesday, Israelis were wounded and killed by Palestinian attackers using knives, guns, cars, and a meat cleaver. Hamas has celebrated the attacks.
The Republican lawmaker said that he is praying for “peace and strength” for the Israelis to overcome the violence.
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