Nancy Pelosi at the US Capitol on March 12. Photo: Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should resign, calling him an obstacle to a two-state solution.
The big picture: Speaking about the aftermath of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack and the prime minister's counteroffensive, Pelosi said Netanyahu is ultimately responsible.
- "We recognize Israel's right to protect itself. We reject the policy and the practice of Netanyahu. Terrible," she said in an interview with RTÉ's Six One News in Ireland. "What could be worse than what he has done in response?"
What she's saying: Pelosi said he has been an obstacle to peace in the region for years.
- "I don't know whether he's afraid of peace, incapable of peace, or just doesn't want peace, but he has been an obstacle to the two-state solution," she added.
Zoom out: The comments come after the House on Saturday voted on a bipartisan basis to pass a $95 billion foreign aid package, that $26 billion in aid for Israel and for humanitarian crises in conflict zones, including in Gaza.
- Many House Democrats grappled bitterly about the vote over concerns with Israel's conduct in Gaza and the inclusion of aid for Gaza and other humanitarian crisis spots.
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Editor's note: This story was corrected to show the $26 billion for Israel includes roughly $9 billion for humanitarian aid (not $26 billion for military aid to Israel).