Tim Walz has really done it this time. This verbal slip up is set to bring a firestorm his way.
And Walz was caught making this ridiculous statement that could bring down the Harris campaign.
In a recent interview, Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz avoided directly naming Hamas or holding the group accountable for the October 7 massacre, raising questions about his stance on the ongoing Gaza conflict.
During a discussion with Michigan National Public Radio affiliate WCMU, Walz was asked how a Harris-Walz administration would approach the situation in Gaza and whether they would diverge from the Biden administration’s current approach.
Walz responded by briefly addressing the terror attack, calling it “horrific” without specifying Hamas as the perpetrator. “I think first and foremost what we saw on October 7th was a horrific act of violence against the people of Israel. They have certainly, and the vice president said it, I’ve said it, have the right to defend themselves and the United States will always stand by that,” Walz said. He quickly shifted the conversation, adding, “But we can’t allow what’s happened in Gaza to happen.”
Walz emphasized the need for a balanced approach, acknowledging the rights of the Palestinian people: “The Palestinian people have every right to life and liberty themselves. We need to continue, I think, to put the leverage on to make sure we move towards a two-state solution.”
The Minnesota governor called for urgent action, urging Israel’s government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to move toward a resolution. He also expressed support for anti-Israel protesters in Michigan: “But I think those folks who are speaking out loudly in Michigan are speaking out for all the right reasons. It’s a humanitarian crisis. It can’t stand the way it is.”
Walz concluded his comments by calling for a cease-fire and the release of hostages as part of a broader effort to find a lasting peace: “And we need to find a way that people can live together in this… getting a cease-fire with the return of the hostages and then moving towards a sustainable two-state solution is the only way forward.”
However, critics swiftly pointed out that neither Walz nor Harris have been explicit about Hamas’ role in the violence. Both have made statements supporting Israel’s right to self-defense, but some argue they downplay Hamas’ responsibility.
Commentary editor John Podhoretz took to X (formerly Twitter), writing, “So Israel has the right to defend itself except when it defends itself, and Hamas doesn’t exist in this narrative, and an American wasn’t m*rdered by Hamas this weekend.”
Republican Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) also criticized the Harris-Walz stance, questioning their approach to Israel’s security: “Kamala Harris and Tim Walz want ‘to put the leverage on’ Israel to ensure Hamas survives to k*ll again? And they believe pro-Hamas radicals ‘are speaking out for all the right reasons’? Revolting moral equivalence.”
The controversy surrounding Walz’s comments grew after he evaded a question at the Minnesota State Fair regarding Hamas’ recent m*rder of six hostages, including an American citizen. When asked, “What’s your reaction to the six hostages being found dead in Gaza?” Walz avoided responding directly, turning away and thanking the crowd before leaving the scene.
Later, Walz released a statement referring to Hamas as a “brutal terrorist organization,” expressing sympathy for the family of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an American m*rdered by Hamas. “Hamas is a brutal terrorist organization — and we condemn their continued atrocities against both Americans and Israelis in the strongest possible terms,” Walz posted on X.
The Harris-Walz campaign has faced mounting pressure from both pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian factions. In battleground states like Michigan, where there is a significant Muslim American population, voters have expressed frustration with the Biden administration’s support for Israel.
Harris has been in talks with groups advocating for an arms embargo on Israel, though her national security adviser, Phil Gordon, denied any formal commitment to this demand.
In her first interview as the Democratic presidential nominee, Harris did not indicate a significant shift in policy but hinted that Israel’s actions could influence U.S. aid. Representative Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) later suggested Harris might take “a new direction” on Israel, possibly considering changes to military aid.
Despite the criticism, the Harris campaign maintains that the vice president will continue to support Israel’s right to defend itself from Iran-backed terrorist groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis.
Dean Lieberman, a spokesperson and deputy national security adviser, reiterated this position following Khanna’s remarks, stating, “The Vice President has made clear she will always ensure Israel has what it needs to defend itself.”
As the 2024 election approaches, the Harris-Walz ticket will likely continue to face scrutiny over its handling of the complex and polarizing issue of the Gaza conflict.
Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.
