Watershed moment on Gaza

House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) referred to Israel's war in Gaza as a "genocide" during an event in her district yesterday.

Why it matters: Clark is easily the highest-ranking member of Congress to use that word to describe the situation in Gaza.

• According to the news outlet Zeteo, 13 other House members have used the word "genocide" — a dozen progressive Democrats plus right-wing Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.).
• Clark is the No. 2 to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who has been critical of the Israeli government at times but generally supportive of the country throughout his career.

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."

Go deeper.

— Andrew Solender