Murphy: GOP attacks on Biden over Israel conflict ‘partisan hackery’

by Nick Robertson - 10/07/23 1:43 PM ET

U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn. speaks during a press conference in the U.S. embassy in Belgrade, Serbia, Thursday, May 25, 2023. Washington and Brussels have stepped up efforts to help solve the Kosovo-Serbia dispute, fearing further instability in Europe as the war rages in Ukraine. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) called out Republicans who have criticized President Biden amid unprecedented attacks on Israel Saturday, calling those jabs “partisan hackery.”

“This is partisan hackery at a time when we need statesmanship. Really bad faith,” Murphy said. “Trying to win cheap political points by shifting the blame away from the terrorists is a gift to Hamas right now”

Murphy’s criticism came as a reply to former Vice President Mike Pence on X, formerly Twitter. Pence said Biden “projects weakness” as president and “kowtowed” to Iran, which financially supports Hamas.

The Palestinian militant group launched the largest attack on Israel in decades early Saturday, invading multiple Israeli towns from Gaza and launching masses of missiles into the country.

At least 250 Israelis and 232 Palestinians have been killed in the fighting, according to Israeli local media and the Palestinian government.

Multiple Republicans, including former President Trump and several members of congress, have placed some blame on Biden alongside statements denouncing the violence and backing Israel.

Specifically, Pence, Trump and others referenced the $6 billion returned to Iran as part of a prisoner exchange last month. Those funds were owned by the Iranian government but frozen in South Korean banks due to U.S. sanctions, inaccessible.

Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the phone Saturday to affirm U.S. support for the country.

“This morning, I spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu about the horrific and ongoing attacks in Israel,” Biden said in a statement. “The United States unequivocally condemns this appalling assault against Israel by Hamas terrorists from Gaza, and I made clear to Prime Minister Netanyahu that we stand ready to offer all appropriate means of support to the Government and people of Israel.”

Updated 4:06 p.m.