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Rep. Rashida Tlaib on Tuesday blasted President Biden’s trip to Israel, blaming him for encouraging the Jewish state to wage war against Hamas in Gaza instead of urging de-escalation and a peaceful resolution.
“Israel just bombed the Baptist Hospital killing 500 Palestinians (doctors, children, patients) just like that,” Ms. Tlaib wrote on X. “@POTUS this is what happens when you refuse to facilitate a ceasefire & help de-escalate.”
She told the president, “Your war and destruction only approach has opened my eyes and many Palestinian Americans and Muslim Americans like me. We will remember where you stood.”
The Michigan Democrat’s criticism came ahead of Mr. Biden’s trip to Israel, his most powerful demonstration yet of his support for the war effort. It also came just moments after more than 500 civilians were killed in an air strike on a Gaza hospital.
The Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza said Tuesday that an Israeli airstrike caused the explosion and killed about 500 hundred people at the hospital, which also served as a shelter from the ongoing Israeli bombardment. The Israeli military said it had no involvement in the explosion and the blast was likely caused by a misfired Palestinian rocket.
Mr. Biden is scheduled to arrive in Israel on Wednesday in a show of support after Hamas’ surprise terror attack on Oct. 7, which killed more than 1,200 Israelis. He has urged Israel to eliminate Hamas, which the U.S. has designated a terrorist organization.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.
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