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Rep. Smith Statement on House Republicans Delaying Support for Israel

October 31, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) issued the following statement regarding House Republican Leadership’s partisan proposal for aid to Israel.
 
“Instead of helping Israel, House Republican Leadership is playing partisan politics. Not only does this proposal fail to include humanitarian funding, the inclusion of a partisan rider to cut unrelated funding is unprecedented in an emergency supplemental bill. This proposal will delay and undermine our ability to pass funding for Israel and is a clear political stunt. The bill completely ignores Ukraine even as Iran and Russia work together to threaten both Israel and Ukraine. It is past time for House Republican leadership to work in a bipartisan way with the Senate and White House to pass an emergency supplemental package that addresses national security and national defense needs.”
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Rep. Smith Statement on Israel and Gaza

October 28, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) issued the following statement regarding Israel and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

“I strongly support the goal of significantly degrading and ultimately eliminating the Hamas terrorist organization. Israel must do all they can to make sure Hamas is never again able to carry out terrorist attacks. The horrors of the October 7th attack on Israeli civilians by Hamas militants should make that clear to everyone.

“This goal, however, will be more likely to be achieved if we also recognize and work to reduce the suffering of Palestinian civilians. Much more can be done right now by Israel, the United States, and others to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Food, water, medical supplies, and fuel must be allowed into Gaza—with appropriate safeguards—to reduce the suffering of the civilian population. I understand the risk that, no matter the safeguards, some of these supplies might fall into the hands of Hamas. But the risk of a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza if these supplies are not let in is far greater. The human toll would be devastating. The anger at that cost will without question serve as fertile terrorist recruiting ground for Hamas and other extremist organizations, while also increasing the risk the conflict would expand to other parts of the Middle East.

“More efforts must also be taken to reduce the impacts of Israel’s military campaign on the civilians in Gaza. Israel should allow for humanitarian pauses in fighting so that more aid can be brought into Gaza. The bombing campaign and ground incursions must also be done to the greatest extent possible to minimize civilian casualties.

“Again, there is risk to Israel in taking this approach. Hamas uses civilians as human shields and hides fighters and weapons in civilian locations like schools and mosques. But Israel must understand that the struggle against the Hamas terrorist organization will not be won in weeks or months. It will be a long struggle, one more likely to be won if Israel shows that, unlike Hamas, they value all lives and will work to reduce the suffering of all civilians in this horrific conflict.”

Rep. Smith and 100+ House Members Send Letter to President Biden on Situation in the Middle East

October 20, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) joined over 100 members of the House of Representatives in sending a letter to President Biden regarding the situation in the Middle East. See below for the full letter.
 
“We write to thank you for your strong leadership during a tragic and dangerous moment in the Middle East. The horrific attack on October 7 against Israel by the terrorist organization Hamas took the lives of over 1,400 people, injured over 3,000 more, and resulted in the capture of nearly 200 people – including many American citizens – who are being held as hostages in Gaza. You have rightly condemned these actions as pure evil and expressed the United States’ steadfast support for our ally Israel in a moment of need and horror.
 
“We stand with you in supporting Israel and are ready to provide whatever assistance the state and people of Israel need to defend themselves and to ensure that hostages return home and those who perpetrated these crimes against humanity are held accountable.
 
“We are grateful as well for your clear statements regarding the fundamental importance of ensuring that the humanitarian needs of the civilian population of Gaza are met, and that all possible steps are being taken to ensure the safety of civilians and noncombatants in the Strip. Reportedly, more than 3,000 people have been killed and more than 9,700 wounded in Gaza, making it imperative that we act to prevent further loss of innocent lives. We agree with you that Israel’s response must be in accordance with international law and our shared democratic values.
 
“We support the efforts that Secretary Blinken and your entire administration are making to ensure that the basic necessities of life for Gaza’s civilians are available, such as food, water, and medicine. In addition, we must enable those civilians and noncombatants who want to seek refuge temporarily in safe zones in southern Gaza to be given safe passage, and to ensure that they have the ability to return to their communities in Gaza when the war is over.
 
“A commitment to Israel’s security and right to respond to terror is not incompatible with a commitment to the humanitarian needs of the innocent people of Gaza. Indeed, you are correctly charting a path that promotes American values and interests when we pursue both goals together.
 
“We further support the efforts that your administration is undertaking to prevent the conflict from escalating to other fronts in this war, including to Israel’s north, as evidenced by the decision to deploy carrier strike groups to the Eastern Mediterranean. In particular, we urge your administration to work closely with Israel and regional partners to ensure stability on the West Bank and to prevent any escalation of violence in that region.
 
“Even after this war between Israel and Hamas is over, the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians cannot be solved ultimately by any military means. When this crisis ends, your leadership together with regional partners will be needed to create a path to a sustainable future because, as you have so often pointed out, both Israelis and Palestinians deserve equal measures of freedom, security, opportunity and dignity. There will never be an end to the violence until that goal is achieved, and we know that the United States will have a significant role in the pursuit of the peaceful coexistence between Israel and its neighbors.
 
“Thank you again for your steady and determined leadership at this critical time. We look forward to continuing to work with you in defense of Israel and, ultimately, in pursuit of peace in the Middle East.”
 
A full copy of the letter can be found here.
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Rep. Smith Statement Condemning Terrorist Attacks in Israel

October 7, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) today issued the following statement in response to Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel.
 
“I vehemently condemn today’s attack against the people of Israel by the terrorist group Hamas. It is becoming increasingly apparent this was a well-planned and coordinated attack; intent on killing civilians and causing as much destruction as possible. There is simply no justification for this type of cowardly and senseless assault.
 
“I remain steadfast in my support of Israel and its right to defend itself. I will continue to work with Congress and the Administration to ensure Israel has what it needs to defend itself and repel future attacks.
 
“My thoughts are with the victims of this brutal and horrific act of terrorist violence, including their loved ones.
 
“I will continue to closely monitor this situation.” 
 
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Rep. Smith Statement on Speaker Kevin McCarthy

October 3, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) today issued the following statement regarding the vote to oust Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
 
“Kevin McCarthy has been one of the worst Speakers in the history of this country. He has been wholly partisan, refusing to work with Democrats at every turn and launching a completely baseless impeachment inquiry into President Biden to appease Donald Trump and the MAGA base. The one occasion he worked with Democrats – to avoid a catastrophic default on our debt – he lied and went back on the deal almost immediately. His word means nothing. For how terrible he has been, Democrats still have to decide whether to help him retain his Speakership. The answer is clearly no. Some say removing him could lead to chaos or that someone more extreme could replace him, but the reality is that his Speakership has been defined by chaos. He has been MAGA’s Speaker since day one, bringing us to the brink of a default on our debt and then to the brink of a government shutdown.
 
“The bottom line is that Kevin McCarthy has done irrefutable damage to the institution of Congress and no Democrat should have any part in helping him retain his Speakership. He sided with Donald Trump and the insurrections over January 6, undermining a bipartisan investigation into the attack on Congress. He has continued to support Donald Trump at every turn, even as the former President has set his sights on destroying this country. Kevin McCarthy does what’s best for Kevin McCarthy, putting his own interests above the interests of the American people.
 
“Previous Speakers have had the respect to step down when they no longer have the support of their conference, but not McCarthy. He continues to argue today that he should remain Speaker for the good of the institution. That could not be further from the truth. The sooner that Kevin McCarthy is not Speaker, the sooner we can start reducing the damage that he has done. As long as McCarthy is Speaker, the institution of Congress will continue to be pummeled.”
 
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