On Friday’s “CNN News Night” broadcast, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) said conditional aid to Israel would only “empower Hamas even more.”
Host Jim Schutt said:[O]There can be no rational argument that Hamas wants to prolong these negotiations because it enjoys seeing Israel isolated and suffering there. ”
Mr. Gottheimer replied: I think that’s a really important point. ”
Gottheimer continued, “I think all that coordination aid does is, as you said, empower Hamas and further empower Hamas. … In my opinion, it reduces the possibility of peace. It just weakens… [T]The key is making sure everyone gets back to the table. The president sent letters to Qatar and Egypt urging them to act more quickly and rely on Hamas, and the president, of course, urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to stay at the table and make sure real action is taken. And I think that’s an important role that we play here, getting everyone to the table and making sure that we get to this pause and, as you pointed out, that it’s the right thing to do. think. We must hold all parties accountable, but we must do so in a way that does not abandon our vital allies in favor of foreign terrorist organizations. And let’s remember that, let’s bring Americans home. ”
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