Under Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf told the Senate on Tuesday that the Biden administration does not believe Israel can destroy Hamas through military action alone.
Leaf made the admission in response to repeated tough questioning from Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) about whether the billions of dollars in sanctions relief the Biden administration has granted to Iran have caused destabilization.
Leaf said the recent Middle East turmoil was a “series of black swan events” rather than the result of administration policies. He acknowledged that Iranian oil exports have increased from 300,000 barrels per day to 2 million barrels per day under President Joe Biden.
Cruz asked Leaf about Israel’s war against the Iranian-backed terrorist group Hamas in the Gaza Strip and whether the administration supports Israel’s goal of destroying the group. Leaf said the administration supports that goal. Cruz then asked Leaf if that was the case, why the administration supports a ceasefire agreement.
Leaf said the administration does not believe it can destroy Hamas through “military means alone.”
“This is the position of the current administration. [that it] “Is it impossible to defeat Hamas militarily?” Cruz asked.
“Yes, I am,” Leaf replied.
She did not say what those other “means” were.
Cruz also said the administration’s policy of promoting Palestinian statehood would be a “reward” for October 7.
Leaf dismissed the possibility, saying Hamas does not support a two-state solution and would therefore not benefit from negotiating an agreement to create a Palestinian state alongside Israel.
Joel B. Pollack is executive editor of Breitbart News. Breitbart News Sunday The show airs Sunday nights from 7 to 10 p.m. (4 to 7 p.m. ET) on SiriusXM Patriot. He is the author of his recently published e-book,The Zionist Conspiracy (And How to Join It)” is available on Audible. He is also the author of an e-book. Not Free or Fair: The 2020 US Presidential ElectionHe is the recipient of the Robert Novak Journalism Alumni Fellowship in 2018. Follow him on Twitter. Joel Pollack.
