Rep.SaludCarbajal
Carbajal: “I remain deeply concerned that [the Prime Minister’s] bravado threatens to plunge his country and the region into larger and longer conflict.”
Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, issued the following statement today following an address to Congress by Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:
“While I wholeheartedly support Israel’s right to defend itself in the wake of the horrific October 7 attack and rescue hostages still be held by Hamas, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s address to Congress today went far beyond that shared commitment in ways that were detrimental to our chance of securing a lasting peace.
“The Prime Minister’s reckless rhetoric lacked any acknowledgement of the thousands of civilians in Gaza who have died since October 7, ignored the continued violence that Israeli settlers inflict against Palestinians, and repeated blatant falsehoods when denying his administration’s obstruction of humanitarian aid – something unanimously acknowledged by the United States and the wider international community. I also condemn his assertion that anyone exercising their right to free speech is an agent of our adversaries.
“I applaud the around-the-clock work the Biden-Harris Administration has been doing to secure the release of hostages and a lasting ceasefire in Gaza. And in recent weeks, their nonstop diplomacy has put a pathway to peace within reach with Israel and Hamas both agreeing to initial frameworks laid out by President Biden.
“But by insisting that the pathway to ending the war can only come through more violence and weapons, Prime Minister Netanyahu showed today that he is willing to put his own interests and political gain ahead of securing that deal. And despite our shared commitment to the alliance between Israel and the United States, I remain deeply concerned that his bravado threatens to plunge his country and the region into larger and longer conflict.”
Rep. Carbajal has repeatedly voiced concerns to President Biden over Israel’s military operational strategies and signed a resolution calling for a renewal of a humanitarian ceasefire that had previously helped facilitate safe delivery of humanitarian aid and the release of hostages being held by Hamas.
In May, he raised specific concerns to President Biden about the Israeli government’s restrictive policies on humanitarian assistance in the aftermath of Rep. Carbajal and Congress approving $9 billion in humanitarian aid to help those facing famine and other critical shortages.
Congressman Carbajal had advocated for the passage of that humanitarian aid since last fall and has continued to push the Biden Administration to help scale up efforts to deliver life-saving aid to Palestinian civilians in Gaza, seek the renewal of a humanitarian ceasefire, secure the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas, and emphasize to Israel the need for a strategy that protects civilian life.
Rep. Salud Carbajal represents California’s 24th Congressional District, encompassing Santa Barbara County and portions of San Luis Obispo County and Ventura County. He is a member of the Agriculture and Armed Services Committees, as well as the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, where he serves as the top Democrat on the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee.
Thank you Salud for speaking out cogently and forcefully.
I like what Salud is saying, personally. Netenyahu is blowing it (and killing citizens left and right), and Biden has only aided him in this atrocity. Warmongers. It’s shameful.
Thank you, Mr. Carbajal! The situation in the Middle East is extremely dangerous and Netanyahu should never have been invited to address Congress.
To understand how dangerous it is and how the US and Iran could be participants, see the Dexter Filkins article in the current New Yorker – and/or listen to the recent Fresh Air interview with him It’s a situation where the US needs to step back and away from a full-throated support of Netanyahu ….
How was our carpet bombing of german civilians during WW2 handled?
Rube – You keep bringing up this nonsensical whataboutish non-sequitur.
As has been explained to you multiple time, times have changed.
If times have changed (they haven’t) why does the world stand by while 500,000 Syrian civilians die?
RUBY – if you think our military technology, laws, and tactics have not changed since WW2, then you’re beyond help.
We’ve discussed this plenty.
This is about Israel and Gaza, not Syria. But since you love to whatabout…… Is the US funding the side that is killing all the civilians in Syria? No. Big difference.
Also…. 500,000 dead in over 14 years in Syria, while in Gaza there is 20-30,000 (based on estimates given) dead civilians in only 10+ months.
It’s the morality of killing innocent civilians which has not changed. But guns and bombs are little changed, yet do not afford any excuses in killing. We support and are allied with the UN, charged with Syria. Civilian deaths are equivalent in Syria
The morality is the same now as then – killing innocent civilians is wrong. No one ever said the firebombing of Dresden or Hiroshima was OK or good. I wasn’t alive then, so I wasn’t able to voice my opposition…. smh
Bombs have changed A LOT since WW2 and I’m not going to explain it again for you.
As for Syria, we are aiding the rebels, and the UN is providing aid (they attempted to secure 4 BILLION $$) to the civilians, not to Assad.
PLEASE, PLEASE, read some actual facts and history on this.
“Civilian deaths are equivalent in Syria” – not sure what that is even supposed to mean.
https://watson.brown.edu/costsofwar/costs/human/civilians/iraqi
Yeah, civilians die, Alex. Doesn’t make it right. Especially when you tell them to evacuate to a “safer” town and then blow them up en route and then blow up that town.
Killing civilians is wrong. Always has been, always will be.
I agree, and also it’s important to speak the truth on the facts.
Yep…. that’s why I don’t make stuff up.
As for the “less than two hundred” statement elsewhere here, I think they meant “two thousand.” I’ve never heard anyone dispute that number.
Oh, lots of people out there peddling false flag and conspiracy bullshit about the “true” number of dead from October 7th as well as discounting the number of deaths because some were killed by friendly fire. Those are still on Hamas’ hands though.
And, no, I don’t think you make stuff up, but you do consistently exaggerate things to the point of being disconnected from the facts.
People have such a short term memory. It’s as if October 7 never happened. And they want the cake and to eat it too. You want less civilian deaths? That takes time. That’s why it’s taken 9 months. If you weren’t so critical of Israel’s handling of the war and didn’t care about civilian deaths, Netanyahu could have finished the war on October 8. Stop with the double standards
Well it certainly is difficult getting accurate casualty numbers from Gaza…. We hear of total casualties but oddly there is no distinction from the Hamas spokesmen regarding civilians and fighters. Is it 2/3 fighters to 1:3 civilian? 90% fighters? We just cannot tell…. Add to that, Hamas strategy of setting up shop in hospitals and schools, hiding under the skirts of women and children. What perversity! Next, look at the UN agency in Gaza whose members participated in October 12th, and you question the credibility of any information coming from Gaza. Has Hamas recanted their statement confirming they will do this again and again and again, until Israel is no more? If so, I have not heard. Seems like the definition of an existential threat. Very complex situation. In short, it’s war. When in war there is only one objective, to win. It seems both contestants have adopted this strategy.
Yeah, it seems that’s true – they’ve both decided they want to annihilate each other. The US shouldn’t be participating, but we are by sending money and arms to Israel so they can continue to kill inmocent people. Shameful. Biden will be gone eventually, but wow – what will his replacement do differently, if anything?
What an absurd speculation. Watch the media and you will see the death and destruction in Gaza far exceeds anything inflicted on Israel.
You mean Peter Noone? How could he have done a better job?
“But by insisting that the pathway to ending the war can only come through more violence and weapons, Prime Minister Netanyahu showed today that he is willing to put his own interests and political gain ahead of securing that deal”
Said by the man (according to his website) that directly participated in the Gulf War that “an estimated total number of Iraqi deaths caused directly and indirectly by the Gulf War to be between 142,500 and 206,000, including 100,000–120,000 military deaths, and 20,000–35,000 civilian deaths in the civil war and 15,000–30,000 refugee deaths after the end of the Gulf war.” Wiki
He also votes to give Ukraine, the MOST CORRUPT GOVERNMENT in Europe, 175 billion US taxpayers’ money to prolong a war that so far has caused the death of 100s of thousands of civilians and military personnel.
Not our wars. We are a 35 trillion in debt and Salud wants to borrow more to purchase weapons for other countries.
The Democrat Party is the party of war and of military and social elites.
ANON – “party of war?” LOL
Please remind us who pushed for the Gulf War? How about which president and party lied to the American people to gain support for the 2nd Gulf War in 2003? A couple of Texas Democrats, right? Oh wait……
Who pushed for the Gulf War? Bush and most of Congress.
Which president and party lied to the American people to gain support for the 2nd Gulf War in 2003? The Bush Administration either lied or provided bad intel from intelligence agencies.
20 years ago, a majority of both parties supported that war. But that was 20 years ago.
20 years ago, Clinton and Obama opposed gay marriage and illegal immigration. 15 years ago, a Klan member was a Democratic US Senator. 60 years ago, the Jim Crow Laws passed by Democrats had to be dismantled. 160 years ago, nearly all slave owners were Democrats.
That’s the past. Today, “A majority of House Republicans voted against more aid to Ukraine. The bill passed by a 311-112 margin.” ALL House Democrats voted for the Ukraine Bill, while 112 Republicans voted against it.
Today’s Democratic Party is run by elites and the very wealthy. Nine of the top 10 wealthiest congressional districts are represented by Democrats, while Republicans now represent most of the poorer half of the country, according to median income data provided by Rep. Marcy Kaptur’s (D-Ohio) office.
Again, Democrats voted unanimously to give Ukraine, the MOST CORRUPT GOVERNMENT in Europe, 175 billion dollars of US taxpayers’ money. Not our wars. But, it is our money.
“Today’s Democratic Party is run by elites and the very wealthy.” – Like Trump?
Also…..Of COURSE Republicans voted against aid to another country. They don’t like giving money to anyone. The party of me me me, mine mine mine.
Weird how you folks love Russia and their dictatorship so much. I’d rather my party fight against oppression and authoritarianism than send our young adults to die for family vengeance and oil.
Like Trump? That’s like saying “your momma”
Where do you think the Republicans get the money that you wish they would give away?
It’s our our our money. It’s not theirs theirs, me me, or mine mine; it’s ours.
Ukraine is at the doorstep of Western Europe. If European Union doesn’t think it’s worth hundreds of billions of dollars to protect their own interests, then why should we? We could be spending that money here in the US, where we would at least receive some benefits from borrowing and spending hundreds of billions of dollars. In 2022, the ARTBA estimated that repairs for all 224,000 US bridges, including 43,578 structurally deficient bridges, could cost $260 billion. That money would be better spent here in the US.
Again, Ukraine is the most corrupt country in Europe. As late as 2016, amid major anti-corruption reforms, Transparency International’s survey still judged Ukraine to be as corrupt as Russia.
February 1, 2024
Wartime Ukraine ranks among world’s top performers in anti-corruption index
And who said anything about loving Russia and dictators? That’s a straw man argument. Apparently, you wish to see hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians and Russians die fighting a war for your “worthy cause”? See how that works.
It’s not our war any more than the war in Yemen is. At any time, you can volunteer your time and money to help Ukraine if you wish, but of course, it’s always much easier to be virtuous with someone else’s money and life.
Oh, and there you go again, bringing up more 20-year-old references: The Iraq and Gulf War.
ANON – “Like Trump? That’s like saying “your momma”” – No, that’s not at all like saying “your momma,” it’s like saying what about (yes, whatabout) the “elites and the very wealthy” Donald J. Trump that you support. You complain about the Dems being “elites and the very wealthy” so…..
And YOU brought up the Gulf and Iraq wars when you said this:
“Said by the man (according to his website) that directly participated in the Gulf War that “an estimated total number of Iraqi deaths caused directly and indirectly by the Gulf War to be between 142,500 and 206,000, including 100,000–120,000 military deaths, and 20,000–35,000 civilian deaths in the civil war and 15,000–30,000 refugee deaths after the end of the Gulf war.” Wiki”
Dude, please don’t lecture me here about fallacies as you commit just about every one in the book. LOL!
Again, with Trump.
When did I mentioned Trump or that I supported Trump?
Another straw man fallacy.
You opened the door about ‘the” Gulf War when you asked “who pushed for the Gulf War?” Who started the Gulf War was never a focal point of my discussion.I brought up Salud Carbajal’s historical military participation in the Gulf War, not the Gulf War, because he criticizes Prime Minister Netanyahu’s approach to ending the Israel-Hamas war by advocating for increased violence and the use of more weapons, when that’s exactly what the US military (including Salud at that time) did to end the Gulf War.
And while he reprimanding Netanyahu, he advocating “for increased violence and the use of more weapons” to be used in Ukraine by voting to give Ukraine billions of US dollars.
Anyway, here is a list of the top ten richest people in US (the elites) and their party association.
Number 1 richest person: Elon Musk-supports Trump
2. Jeff Bezos -Democrat
3. Oracle’s Larry Ellison, gave $929,600 to reelection of Biden
4. Warren Buffett -Democrat
5. Larry Page money to Democratic candidates’ campaigns.
6. Bill Gates -Democrat
7. Sergey Brin money to Democratic Party candidates and organizations
8. Mark Zuckerberg Donations to both
9.Steve Ballmer Donations to both
10.Michael Bloomberg Democrat
7 out of 10 support Democrats, 1 Trump, and 2 maybe both.
“the elites” LOL! Oh Lordy, hide the children! The “elites” are coming! You Cons are so obsessed with “the elites” as if the people running the Republican party are not. Sorry, it’s just hilarious.
And no, you cited the Gulf war death stats so as to belittle Salud’s credibility, so we’re all done here.
Most people who know history know better than to ignore land grabs by dictators. What was that Churchill quote about crocodiles and appeasement?
If you want a replay of 1938-1945, please read dystopian fiction instead.
Anon – People who aren’t ensconced in the con media bubble know better than to believe such offal.
And seriously? As if Salud had a choice as a US Marine to “directly participate” in the war.
Bonkers.
He wasn’t drafted
ANON LOL! So what? Also, how is being stationed in North Carolina “directly participating” in the war?
You’re reaching so hard, you might just fall over.
From Legistrom bio of Salud
U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve
Served for eight years; deployed to the Middle East during the Persian Gulf War
ANON – that’s just not true.
“Salud served eight years in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, including active duty service during the Gulf War in 1992 where he was mobilized to Jacksonville, North Carolina.”
https://carbajal.house.gov/biography/
And again, were it true, so what? Salud did not start or in any way encourage the Gulf War.
BUSH did. That wiley old war mongering Democrat….. right?
It’s really funny that you think one party is the party of war and social elites and the other somehow isn’t.
Not ALL warmongers and social elites are Democrats, however, 7 out of ten of the top richest people in the US support Democrats and ALL House Democrats voted for the Ukraine Bill, while 112 Republicans voted against it.
When the government seeks to control businesses (and wealth), then businesses (and the wealthy) will seek to control the government.
And, if you knew better, you’d know that the cons want to control everything, to maximize profit.
Anon you are correct. Clearly who want to control everything, from cars, to stoves, to what power sources we use are DEMS.
We were independent of foreign oil before Brandon. There were no wars in the middle east, the economy was thriving – Look it up, and if you have one, check your 401K, today vs. 4 years ago.
Nice mishmash of misinformation. Your bubble is full of fantasy.
sacjon
You asked why Hezbollah would target the Druze.
It might of been a misfire
If not, it would be on brand. The Druze are a persecuted religious minority. Persecuted by Islamists for being heretics. The Druze in Israel are loyal to Israel because the Israeli government and people respect and protect the Druze. The Druze have a sense of honor that requires them to participate in the IDF