National security officials responding to questions from Sen. Tom Cotton on Monday struggled with whether they believed Israel was involved in the systematic destruction of the Palestinian people.
During the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence’s annual global threats hearing, the hearing was interrupted several times by protesters. ceasefire between israel Mr. Cotton asked both CIA Director William Burns and Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines whether Israel was “exterminating” Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
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Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) observes the confirmation hearings for Lt. Gen. Timothy Ho, nominee for director of the National Security Agency, and Lt. Gen. Michael Casey, nominee for director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center. Senate Intelligence Committee on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc, via Getty Images)
“Some people in the audience are accusing you of some pretty serious acts,” Cotton said, referring to the protesters.
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“I want to give you a chance to respond to what has been said,” he continued. “Is Israel exterminating the Palestinians?”
“I think there are many innocent civilians in Gaza who are in desperate situations right now,” Burns responded. He added that some hostages were in a “hopeless situation”.
CIA Director William speaks on “Addressing the Global Threat Landscape” at an event as part of the Trainor Awards Ceremony at the Georgetown Hotel and Conference Center on February 2, 2023 in Washington, DC.・Burns (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Asked by Cotton, Burns said “no” and said he understands Israel’s need to respond to the October 7 terrorist attacks. But he said: “I think we also need to be mindful of the huge toll this has taken on innocent civilians in Gaza.”
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The Arkansas Republican then directed questions to Haines and asked for his opinion.
“I have nothing to add to Coach Burns’ statement,” she explained, adding that she fully supports Burns’ response.
Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines arrives to attend a state dinner honoring Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House in Washington, DC, on June 22, 2023. (Stephanie Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)
When Mr. Cotton asked Mr. Burns if Israel was starving children, as the protesters claimed, the CIA director replied, “I think the reality is that there are children who are starving.” Stated.
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The senator asked if this was the work of Israel, but Mr. Burns did not respond.
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) after a meeting with Senate Republicans at the Capitol in Washington, DC, on November 16, 2022. (Getty Images)
“They’re starving,” Barnes repeated.
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Cotton said for the record that he does not believe that Israeli or national security witnesses are “exterminating the Palestinian people or starving Palestinian children.”
The senator later told Fox News Digital that he was “disappointed” with their response.
