On NewsNation’s Wednesday broadcast of “The Hill,” Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, said the media believes Hamas is the biggest obstacle to a ceasefire and that Hamas is He said that they were not doing enough to point out the issue. Pointing out that Hamas is putting Palestinians at risk will put more pressure on them and “help us reach a ceasefire and peace sooner.”
“One is that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is a very real problem that has not been adequately addressed, and Israel has a strong role to play in addressing it,” Smith said. Important for security: footage and reality of what’s happening on the ground in Gaza [are] Undermining support for Israel in a wide range of places. And I think we need to find ways to work together to improve it. … I think the second message is what President Biden has said from the beginning, we support Israel’s right to defend themselves and we recognize the threats they face. While the focus is certainly on Gaza, Iran and Hezbollah also threaten Israel in other areas, and giving Israel the ability to deter those threats is part of the way to prevent the war from escalating. ”
Moderator Blake Berman then asked, “Congressman, do you think more Democrats should get that message across in a two-part format?” Because we certainly hear a lot of talk about the Gaza front and the aid front there and what needs to happen. But sometimes I feel like we almost forget that this started six months ago with Hamas and Israel was attacked and we were there. [are] Hostages and Americans still held [hostage].Hearing you articulate both positions, I just wonder [if some in your party haven’t been focusing on both sides, if you feel that that should be the case.”
Smith responded, “I struggle each day to speak for myself, speaking for every single other Democrat out there is a little bit more difficult. I will say that, broadly speaking, in the media, I mean, look, the big argument right now is for a ceasefire. Do you know who the largest block to a ceasefire is right now? Hamas. There has been an offer on the table for an exchange of hostages. Look, asking Israel to put a ceasefire in place without the hostages being returned is a huge ask. And look, I think there does need to be a ceasefire to get humanitarian assistance in. But there has been an offer on the table to get the hostages back. Israel has agreed to release a large number of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for that ceasefire. Hamas is blocking it. So, the one thing I would say to everybody involved in this is, if you want a ceasefire, we need to put pressure on Hamas. [The] The United Nations did not and could not even condemn Hamas during this entire process. And aside from debate over Israeli tactics in Gaza, Hamas hides behind civilians in hospitals and mosques. They pose an increased risk to civilians. So I think at least pointing out these facts will help us reach a ceasefire and peace sooner. ”
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