Ro Khanna refuses to say that the Oct 7 terrorist attack on Israel was justified
NEWNow you can listen to Fox News articles!
Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., declined to say whether any attacks on Israel during the Oct. 7 Hamas can be forgiven despite the repeated questioning of a far-left journalist on Tuesday.
The exchange came after Drop Site reporter Jeremy Scahill asked Khanna during a live event about the congressman's recent claims that he was arrested by armed Israeli settlers during a visit to the West Bank last week.
Although Khanna expressed support for ending Israel's “invasion” of Gaza and accused Israel of “apartheid” and “genocide,” Scahill took issue with Khanna's reluctance to enact a total arms embargo on Israel.
MIKE HUCKABEE REJECTS RO KHANNA VISIT TO ISRAEL CLAIMS: 'He Wasn't Held At Gunpoint'
Drop Site News reporter Jeremy Scahill said Israel's first attack on Oct. 7 was facing military centers. (Majdi Fathi/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
“What it means is that accountability is not dependent on American policy toward Israel,” Scahill told Khanna. “It's a mystery. 'Well, Israeli citizens can die.' Israeli citizens are dying in these attacks because of apartheid.”
Scahill then appeared to argue that terrorist attacks against Israel can be justified as attempts to “kill Israeli soldiers.”
“You know, do Palestinians have the right to kill Israeli soldiers, Congressman? On October 7, when they attacked military bases in the Gaza Strip, did the Al-Qassam Brigades and Saraya al-Quds have the right to kill Israeli soldiers? Yes or no?” Scahill asked.
MANY DEMS FLIP ON ISRAEL, VOTE TO PROTECT ARMS SALES IN PROTEST FOR WAR ON IRAN
“I mean, I think the October 7 attack was a terrorist attack, so I don't condone that,” Khanna replied.
Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., said he was arrested during a visit to the West Bank last week. (Ammar Awad/Reuters)
Scahill stressed that the “primary targets” of the October 7 attack were “multiple military bases” and questioned whether there were any justifications for attacking them.
“I'm not violent by any means. I mean I'm going to make sure we get the job done,” Khanna began.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE NEWS AND CULTURE
“Do they have the right to do it, Congressman? Do they have the right to attack Israeli soldiers?” Pressed by Scahill.
“No, I wouldn't say that Hamas had the right to attack Israeli soldiers or kill Israelis. I don't think that promotes peace or the development of the Palestinian state,” Khanna said.
Khanna defended Israel's right to attack Hamas, although he still accused Israel of committing genocide. However, he continued to confront Scahill by refusing to answer whether Palestinians would have a reason to kill Israeli soldiers.
“It's a double standard. He says there are ways Israel should be able to kill Palestinians, but there has never been a condition where Palestinians can attack armed soldiers wearing the uniform of an army that is still considered an army living under international law,” said Scahill.
Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., was among several Democrats who accused Israel of “genocide.” (Benjamin Fanjoy/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM
Khanna is one of many Democratic politicians who have criticized Israel since its war with Hamas. Opposition to Israel has become a top political issue among Democrats ahead of the midterm elections.
