Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) is facing backlash after he criticized “pro-Hamas cheers” at violent anti-Israel protests, just hours after expressing outrage at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s claim that such protesters are Hamas sympathizers.
In a speech to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday, the Israeli leader denounced anti-Israel protesters who support Hamas, which the United States has designated a terrorist organization.
Defeating a brutal enemy requires both courage and clarity. Clarity begins with knowing the difference between good and evil. But an incredible number of anti-Israel protesters, many of them, are choosing to side with evil. They are on the side of Hamas. They are on the side of rapists and murderers. They are on the side of people who broke into kibbutzim and homes. Parents hid their children, two babies, in an attic, a secret attic. They murdered that family, the parents. They found the secret latch in the hidden attic and murdered the baby. These protesters are on their side. They should be ashamed.
“They reject a simple distinction between terrorist targeters and civilian targeters, between the democratic state of Israel and Hamas terrorist thugs,” he added.
What you need to know: The horror of Hamas terror attacks on civilians in Israel’s Kibbutz Be’eri
Joel B. Pollack/Breitbart News
In a later statement Wednesday, Murphy Explained He called Netanyahu’s speech “a commentary on American politics rather than an advancement for US-Israeli security” and slammed him as a “complete overreach” in suggesting that “all Americans who oppose the humanitarian disaster in Gaza are Hamas supporters.”
The speech was more of a commentary on American politics than it was about the future direction of Israeli and US security.
The suggestion that all Americans who oppose the humanitarian disaster in Gaza are Hamas sympathizers is a complete overreach.
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) July 24, 2024
But hours after his initial statement, and as images of heated protests spread online, the situation changed dramatically, with Murphy referring to the “disturbing images emerging from the protests at the Capitol today” he had seen.
“I will always support Americans exercising their First Amendment rights, but pro-Hamas cheers and messages of hate and anti-Semitic sentiment have no place in our country. Period,” he declared.
Some disturbing images have emerged from the protests at the Capitol today. While I will always support Americans exercising their First Amendment rights, pro-Hamas chants and messages of hate and anti-Semitic hate have no place in our country. End of story.
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) July 25, 2024
Critics were quick to point out the irony of Murphy’s message.
“Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) was infuriated when Prime Minister Netanyahu suggested the protesters were Hamas sympathizers,” wrote Media contributor Joel M. Petrin. “Hours later, he was upset to learn that the protesters he had defended were in fact Hamas sympathizers.”
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) was outraged by Netanyahu’s suggestion that the protesters were Hamas sympathizers.
Hours later, he was upset to learn that the protesters he had been defending were in fact Hamas supporters.
The beginning and the present pic.twitter.com/XD3WHG8POR
— Joel M. Petlin (@Joelmpetlin) July 25, 2024
“Chris Murphy was surprised to learn that the protests prominently featured support for Hamas. We don’t know where he has been over the past year. He is said to be an expert on international security,” wrote terrorism expert Dr Max Abrams.
Chris Murphy was surprised to learn that the protests featured prominently in support of Hamas. I don’t know where he’s been this year. He seems to be an expert on international security. https://t.co/iT5l3N0BwK
— Max Abrams (@MaxAbrahms) July 25, 2024
“Let us never forget that Murphy is in Iran’s pocket and has sided with our enemies over America’s interests,” one X user wrote.
Hey Chris MurphyI wonder why Prime Minister Netanyahu said such a thing. It was as if he was shouting, “We are Hamas” and “Hamas is coming.”
We must never forget that Murphy is in Iran’s pocket and sides with America’s enemies rather than its interests. pic.twitter.com/GqHLOCRkfA
— Ethan Fine (@FineEthan) July 25, 2024
Violent protests broke out in Washington DC on Wednesday as Prime Minister Netanyahu arrived in the nation’s capital to address Congress. In an outdoor demonstration dubbed “Arrest Prime Minister Netanyahu,” protesters burned an American flag and an effigy of the Jewish head of state near the Capitol building.
Protesters in Gaza removed the American flag from Union Station, set it on fire with an effigy of Prime Minister Netanyahu and replaced it with a Palestinian flag. pic.twitter.com/c8hz90phqL
— Andrew Layden (@PenguinSix) July 24, 2024
Protesters destroyed historical buildings and clashed with police.
Below are some of the pro-Hamas, anti-America, anti-Israel images coming out of Capitol Hill today as Chris Murphy speaks.
They removed the American flag at Union Station and replaced it with a Palestinian flag.
These protesters are not interested in a two-state solution. pic.twitter.com/qZX2p06P4Q
— Kristi L. Talmadge (@KristiTalmadge) July 25, 2024
Hamas, which is designated a terrorist organization by the United States and other countries, has a history of committing violent acts against innocent civilians.
On October 7, 2023, the Islamic extremist group launched a multi-pronged attack in which approximately 3,000 terrorists invaded Israel by land, sea and air, shooting at attendees of an outdoor music festival, then went door-to-door to torture, rape, execute, immolate and kidnap Jewish men, women and children in local towns.
From body camera footage of a Hamas terrorist on October 7th.
A little girl hid under a table in her home before being shot and killed.
Don’t look away, never forget. pic.twitter.com/sMLVczh5tR
— Mossad: Satirical but brilliant (@TheMossadIL) December 9, 2023
The massacre, reminiscent of the Nazi Holocaust, left around 1,200 people dead in Judea. Injuredand at least 241 hostages of all ages have been taken, nearly half of whom remain in Gaza.
The majority of the victims were civilians. dozens Of the American people.
Ironically, on July 15, Murphy Said “The only response that matters here is for both parties to condemn the use of violence in politics” to the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, a 2024 Republican presidential candidate.
“I pray that Donald Trump will renounce violence this week. But knowing Donald Trump, I don’t think he will,” he added.
Joshua Klein is a reporter for Breitbart News. Email him at jklein@breitbart.com. Follow him on Twitter. Joshua Klein.
