On the recordMay 9, 2024
I have a great deal of respect for the Senator from Delaware, and we work well together on the Judiciary Committee and always operated in good faith, even though we sometimes have differences of opinion. I know he spends a lot of time thinking about national security and foreign relations affairs, and he has traveled the world and knows more leaders of the different countries around the world than I ever will. But I do know that since he shares the concerns about the status, particularly the American citizens who are hostages in Gaza, I would just like to get some idea from him what his thoughts are about the administration's pause on weapons delivery to Israel. Let me just predicate this by saying, I remember back when, of course, we were concerned about al-Qaida in Fallujah where the marines fought a terrible battle. And, unfortunately, any time there is a conflict, there are going to be civilian casualties. Obviously, the goal is to minimize those casualties; likewise, in places like Mosul where ISIS made its last stand in Iraq. I would like to get an idea from the Senator, if he would be so kind, if he would share what his thoughts are about what Israel is supposed to do in Rafah, obviously, to satisfy the concerns about civilian collateral damage but also in a way that allows Israel to eliminate the terrorist threat.
