Republican Congressman Andy Ogles of Tennessee came under fire for his response to a question from a pro-Palestinian activist on US support for Israel’s military. “You know what,” Ogles said, according to a video from Al Jazeera, “I think we should kill them all if that makes you feel better.”
In a statement, Ogles doubled down on what he said. “I stand by Israel and their right to punish Hamas on a scale of Biblical proportions, including their accomplices,” he said.
Ogles’s spokesperson Emma Settle wrote: “The Congressman was not referring to Palestinians, he was clearly referring to the Hamas terrorist group.”
According to WPLN News, Metro Nashville Council Member Zulfat Saura, the first Muslim person elected to the metropolitan government of Nashville and Davidson County, said Ogles’ sentiment contributes to normalizing incidents like the neo-Nazi rally held in Nashville over the weekend.
“In the conflict overseas, I have been very mindful of what I say and how I say it because I want to make sure that my Jewish friends are not hurt in what I say and to make sure that my Palestinian families are taken care of,” Suara said. “But when legislators at the federal level and the state level continue to demonize people, continue to only look at one side and not the other, that’s the result that we see on the streets. And I hope that we will continue to do better. This otherization, this demonization, this ‘kill them all’ is only breaking us apart.”
Others were reminded of the censure of Palestinian-American congresswoman Rashida Tlaib over her criticism of Israel’s military conduct. “Any congressional resolutions to censure or expel Ogles?” The New Arab reported Democratic Strategist Waleed Shahid asking in a post on X.
Ogles was among those who voted against Tlaib, condemning her for justifying Hamas’ attack on Israel.
The American Muslim Advisory Council (AMAC), denounced Ogles’ remarks, reported Al Jazeera. “Such rhetoric is not only abhorrent but also antithetical to our values as a state. It is such rhetoric that has continued to foster a political climate where extremist ideologies flourish, empowering neo-Nazis to openly parade through our streets and allowing genocidal sentiments to go unchallenged,” AMAC wrote.
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