BOSTON — U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Salem, has become the latest member of the state’s all-Democrat congressional delegation to criticize Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the war in Gaza, throwing his support behind demands for a bilateral cease-fire.
Moulton said Netanyahu has “repeatedly” rejected a proposed two-state solution and restricted humanitarian aid in the fight against Hamas, which he said “run counter to Israel’s strategic interests, not to mention basic human decency.”
“While I continue to strongly support Israel’s mission to defeat Hamas, I strongly oppose Prime Minister Netanyahu’s brutalist approach to trying to do so — an approach I know from my experience in Iraq will ultimately be self-defeating and has already resulted in a humanitarian crisis of epic scale,” he said in a statement.
Moulton voiced support for negotiations between Israel and Hamas on an agreement that would release the hostages and begin a humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza, where more than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed.
“That cease-fire deal is our best hope to avoid more deaths, and it is long past time for the violence to stop,” the Salem Democrat said.
Moulton said if Hamas continues to reject the “reasonable terms” of the proposed cease-fire-for-hostage, “the horrific violence will continue.”
“Hamas must agree to join Israel in an immediate bilateral cease-fire and take steps towards long-term de-escalation,” he said. “Let’s never forget that this war would end immediately if the terrorist organization Hamas would surrender.”
Moulton’s comments come as Biden administration officials are set to meet with senior Israeli leaders to discuss a planned military invasion into the southern city of Rafah, which has drawn fierce opposition from U.S. and global leaders.
He said if Netanyahu’s government rejects the consensus of the international community — including some Israeli military officials — by starting an offensive into Rafah “he will make matters immeasurably worse.”
President Joe Biden, a Democrat who is seeking another term in the White House, is facing growing political pressure to do more to help lessen Palestinian suffering and deaths, even as the U.S. continues to supply Israel with military equipment.
Moulton is the latest member of the state’s delegation to criticize Netanyahu’s government handling of the Gaza conflict, which followed the Oct. 7 attack by the terror group Hamas which killed 1,200 Israelis, and took more than 200 people hostage.
Earlier this month, Rep. Lori Trahan called for a ceasefire in the conflict, which she said is “desperately needed to halt the bloodshed, ensure the immediate release of Israeli hostages, surge humanitarian support for Palestinians in Gaza, and return to the hard work of achieving a viable two-state solution in the region.”
“Israel’s right to defend itself, like any nation, is not without bounds,” the Westford Democrat said. “The current situation – the deaths of thousands of innocent Palestinian families – is unacceptable, and it must stop without delay.”
Christian M. Wade covers the Massachusetts Statehouse for North of Boston Media Group’s newspapers and websites. Email him at cwade@cnhinews.com