No. 2 House Democrat Katherine Clark calls Gaza war a "genocide"
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Rep. Katherine Clark attends a press conference at the U.S. Capitol on July 23. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) referred to Israel's war in Gaza as a "genocide" during an event in her district on Thursday, according to a video clip obtained by Axios.
Why it matters: Clark's comment makes her one of just over a dozen House members to have used that word to describe the situation in Gaza, and easily the highest ranking member of Congress to have done so.
- According to the news outlet Zeteo, 13 other House members have used the word "genocide" to describe the war in Gaza — a dozen progressive Democrats and right-wing Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.).
- Clark is the No. 2 to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) who has been critical of the Israeli government at times but generally supportive of the country throughout his career.
- Clark's comments were reported earlier by The Grayzone.
Driving the news: Clark made the remark as she was confronted by pro-Palestinian protesters at an event hosted by Quaker group Friends Meeting at Cambridge.
- "We each have to continue to have an open heart about how ... how we take action to in time to make a difference," Clark said in the clip.
- "Whether that is stopping the starvation and genocide and destruction of Gaza, or whether that means we are working together to stop the redistricting that is going on, taking away the vote from people."
- "And it's exhausting to do all of it, but we have to," she said.
What they're saying: "Whip Clark's position on the war has not changed," Clark spokesperson Joy Lee said in a statement.
- "Security and peace for the Palestinian and Israeli people can only be achieved through a permanent ceasefire, the immediate return of the remaining hostages, and a surge of humanitarian aid to Gaza."
- "It should not be controversial to say that Israeli children did not deserve to be kidnapped and murdered by Hamas, nor should it be controversial to say that Palestinian children, who bear no responsibility for Hamas' atrocities, do not deserve to be killed by war or starvation.
- "A secure future for Israeli and Palestinian children demands a real two-state solution and a permanent end to efforts to deny their rights to exist."
Between the lines: A Congressional Progressive Caucus member before she became minority whip, Clark has generally been seen as the left's best ally in the House Democratic leadership trio.
- Still, she has largely kept in step with Jeffries in trying to strike a balance on the issue of Gaza and has been criticized by pro-Palestinian activists for her past support from AIPAC.
- Pressed by protesters, Clark said Thursday: "In the past I have taken AIPAC money, but, again, that is not saying that you're not going to do what is right here."
