Johnson defends Israel when asked about children’s deaths

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Wednesday doubled down on his support for Israel, pinning the blame on militant group Hamas for the deaths of children in Gaza.

“There have been civilians murdered, but that is not the fault of Israel, it’s the fault of the terrorists — the Hamas operators and soldiers, the terrorists who have used these people and put them into harm’s way,” Johnson told CNN anchor Erin Burnett when asked about the loss of children’s lives in Gaza.

“Israel — I’m convinced — is just doing its very best to prevent civilian casualties,” he continued. “But this is a war, and they’re fighting for their very existence, and they are not the aggressors. It is the other side.”

Israel is facing mounting pressure over its wartime campaign in Gaza, which has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians — most of them women and children — since early October, according to local health authorities.

The war between Hamas and Israel has lasted for nearly seven months since the group’s Oct. 7 surprise assault in which militants killed more than 1,100 people in southern Israel and took about 250 others hostage.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has remained steadfast in his nation’s vow to destroy Hamas and claims Israel is taking precautions to protect civilian lives.

Johnson echoed this sentiment on Wednesday when discussing the pro-Palestinian protests that have roiled college campus across the U.S.

Asked if he believes the protests are antisemitic, Johnson said, “I think there’s always a place for debate and the free exchange of ideas, but let’s not equivocate what’s happening with Hamas and Gaza.”

“This is a battle, as Prime Minister Netanyahu said, between good versus evil, light versus darkness, civilization versus barbarism,” Johnson said. “This isn’t a close call. We have terrorists who preyed upon and attacked viciously and killed many innocent Israelis.

“Why would someone blame Israel for trying to stamp out the very terrorist threats that are right there on their doorstep? We should not be dictating to Israel [on] their military strategy. We should be supporting our ally, which is the only stable democracy in the Middle East.”

Johnson and a group of Republican lawmakers traveled to Columbia University to condemn antisemitism and the demonstrations taking place on campus. The group was heckled by protesters during a press conference.

The remarks come just days after Johnson led the House in passing a massive foreign aid bill that includes nearly $26 billion for Israel and global humanitarian aid for Gaza and other places.