Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts Democrat, defended her recent comments in support of Israeli attacks on schools and hospitals in Palestine during a forum at Tufts University on Monday.
Last month, Ms. Warren told a crowd at a town hall meeting in Cape Cod that Israel had a right to defend itself against Hamas even if militants were hiding weapons near schools and hospitals.
During Monday night’s forum, one audience member, a woman who described herself as a Holocaust refugee, asked Ms. Warren if Palestinians also had a right to defend themselves.
“Of course. So, and the answer is yes,” Ms. Warren responded. “The direction we need to be moving is not to more war. The direction we need to be moving, as I said, I believe we need to move to a two-state solution where both people can be secure and safe within their own borders.”
However, audience members continued to push the subject. One woman, who claimed she had once worked on Ms. Warren’s campaign accused the senator of apologizing for Israel’s actions.
“You know, look, you can do whatever characterization you want of it, but listen only to my words. I didn’t apologize for anyone. I made clear what my view is. I don’t want to see anyone kill more people,” Ms. Warren said.
Ms. Warren told New England Cable News that is was wrong for people to believe that she favors Israel.
“I think that peace favors both peoples and that’s what we really need,” she said, adding, “But I always want to be clear about this. The parties themselves are the ones that will have to negotiate this. It is not up to America to impose it.”
• Kellan Howell can be reached at khowell@washingtontimes.com.
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