Rep. Tim Wahlberg, R-Mich., said this week that the conflict in Gaza must end quickly “like Nagasaki and Hiroshima,” and that the United States should refrain from sending any humanitarian aid to the besieged territory as Israel's war with Hamas continues. .
“We shouldn't be spending a dime on humanitarian aid,” Wahlberg said Monday at a town hall meeting in Dundee, Michigan. Video That spread on social media.
“It should be like Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Deal with it quickly,” he continued, referring to the Japanese cities the US dropped atomic bombs on during World War II. Hundreds of thousands People died.
In a statement, Wahlberg said, “I used a metaphor to convey the need for both Israel and Ukraine to win their wars as quickly as possible without harming US troops.”
“My reasoning is exactly the opposite of what is being reported: the sooner these wars end, the fewer innocent lives will be in the crosshairs,” he added.
According to Walberg General calendarHe had planned to attend a community meeting in Dundee at 10am on Monday, March 25.
Wahlberg responded to an audience question, “Why are we spending our money to build a port for them?”
The question appeared to refer to the Biden administration's plan to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza via floating docks. The United Nations and other agencies have warned of the brink of famine due to Israel's five-month offensive and insufficient supplies inside Gaza.
“It's Joe Biden's reason: We should get humanitarian aid into Gaza. I don't think we should,” Wahlberg responded.
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, more than 32,000 people have died in Gaza since Israel began its war against Hamas. The military campaign follows an October 7 attack by the militant group in the country that killed nearly 1,200 people and took 250 hostages. More than 100 are believed to be still held captive in Gaza.
Many of Walberg's fellow Michigan politicians were quick to criticize his comments.
Democratic Representative Haley Stevens a Post on X “Threatening to use, recommending the use, or, God forbid, actually using nuclear weapons, are unacceptable tactics of war in the 21st century.”
Former Representative Justin Amash is a Palestinian American Republican running for Senate said in a post Wahlberg's comments were “completely indifferent to human suffering,” and “his suggestion that hundreds of thousands of innocent Palestinians, including my own relatives who reside in an Orthodox Christian church, should be exterminated is reprehensible and indefensible.”
State Sen. Darin Camilleri, a Democrat, He called on Walberg to resignand Democratic Rep. Don Guilty Walberg's comments said “Horrifying and shocking” and his position “indefensible.”
“My colleague's comments were irresponsible and misguided,” said Rep. Hillary Scholten, a Democrat. Said in X. He called Wahlberg's comments “despicable.” emphasized Ask him to “withdraw and apologize.”
Politicians and organizations outside of Michigan also took issue with Walberg's comments.
Rep. Chris DeLucio, D-Pa., Invited comments “Cruel, inhuman and barbaric,” and Rep. Andy Kim, D-N.J. said The concepts “shame” and “shame”
“This clear call for genocide by a member of Congress must be condemned by all Americans who respect human life and international law,” Dawud Walid, executive director of CAIR-MI, a Muslim civil rights group, said in a statement. “To call so casually that every human being in Gaza will be killed sends a startling message that Palestinian lives are not valued.”
