Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) argued that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should resign for his handling of the war in Gaza, which is in its seventh month of fighting.
The war between Israel and Hamas was sparked on Oct. 7, 2023, by Hamas terrorist attacks against the Jewish State. Pelosi told Irish news outlet RTE News that she stands by Israel’s right to defend itself after the Hamas terrorist attacks, but rejects Netanyahu’s handling of the response.
“We recognize Israel’s right to protect itself. We reject the policy and practice of Netanyahu — terrible. What could be worse than what he has done in response?” Pelosi said.
She also pointed to the head of Israeli military intelligence resigning on Monday over failures around the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks, and claimed that Netanyahu should follow suit — arguing the Israeli prime minister is “ultimately responsible.”
Pelosi then criticized Netanyahu for being “an obstacle” to a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians.
“I don’t know whether he’s afraid of peace, incapable of peace, or just doesn’t want peace. But he has been an obstacle to the two-state solution — I emphasize the word solution,” Pelosi said.
Pelosi is the latest high-profile Democrat to criticize the Israeli prime minister while not rejecting Israel’s right to defend itself.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called for regime change in Israel during a speech on the Senate floor last month.
Schumer accused Netanyahu of having “lost his way” and said new elections must be held during the March speech. Israeli officials have blasted Schumer’s floor speech as “unhelpful.”
Pelosi also touted President Joe Biden as the “biggest advocate for humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians” in the U.S., as the president faces heat from the party’s left flank for his stance on the war.
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The House of Representatives approved a foreign aid package on Saturday for Israel, alongside packages for Ukraine and Taiwan, which also provides humanitarian aid for Gaza.
Pelosi was one of the 366 House members who voted to approve the package for Israel, which is expected to be approved by the Senate as soon as Tuesday.