- The Washington Times - Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Rep. Tim Burchett said he wishes President Biden weren’t taking his trip to Israel.

“I wish the president wasn’t going over there. I think it’s a gutsy, bold move, but I really wish he wasn’t going over there,” the Tennessee Republican said on NewsNation Monday. “Because, you know, my dad … fought the Japanese in the Pacific, and he used to say, buddy, when somebody’s willing to lose their life to take you out, there’s not a whole lot you can do sometimes.”

Host Chris Cuomo replied, “Yeah, I just wish they hadn’t announced the day.”

Mr. Biden will head to Israel on Wednesday after being invited by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made the trip last week, returning Friday.

Mr. Burchett said the idea of a cease-fire is a nonstarter for the Israelis, but would be a “pretty good deal” for terrorist group Hamas.

“I think this is Israel’s war and we have to let them fight it,” he said. “And they’re going to show the rest of the world how these things are done, and yeah it’s brutal.”

He added, “Hamas just goes in there and slaughters innocent people. Israel, the Jews, they call over there, and they say, ‘Hey, we’re coming through here. Y’all get the hell out of there.’ And then what does Hamas do? They stop them at the border with AKs and they start shooting their own people.”

Israel has declared war on Hamas, whom Mr. Burchett called “vicious; they are savages, they are terrorists.”

Over 4,000 people have died, including 30 Americans, according to officials.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck E. Schumer, New York Democrat, visited Israel over the weekend, along with Republican Sens. Mitt Romney of Utah, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Democratic Sens. Jacky Rosen of Nevada and Mark Kelly of Arizona.

On Monday, Mr. Schumer announced that the Senate will move within days to pass a resolution supporting Israel.

• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.

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