Michigan Rep Tim Walberg draws flak over remarks advocating for nuclear strike on Gaza

LANSING, MICHIGAN: US Representative Tim Walberg of Michigan has sparked outrage and condemnation after suggesting the use of nuclear weapons against Gaza to support Israel's efforts to eliminate Hamas swiftly.

The Republican congressman's comments came to light during a town hall meeting earlier this week, where he appeared to endorse the use of nuclear force against the Palestinian territory, drawing comparisons to the bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima.

Shocking advocacy for nuclear strike

"It should be like Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Get it over quick," Walberg was heard stating in a video shared on social media platforms, evoking the American bombings of these Japanese cities during World War II.

The remarks, which have since been widely circulated and condemned, also included Walberg's opposition to providing humanitarian aid to Gaza. Responding to a question about President Joe Biden's proposal to construct a port off the Gaza coast for delivering aid more efficiently, Walberg adamantly stated, "We shouldn't be spending a dime on humanitarian aid."

The backdrop to Walberg's controversial comments is the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has left Gaza's two million inhabitants on the brink of famine after nearly six months of violence.

The congressman's office has attempted to clarify his statements, asserting that they were metaphorical and aimed at supporting Israel's long-term goal of eliminating Hamas to achieve lasting peace in the region.

"During his community gathering, he clearly uses a metaphor to support Israel's swift elimination of Hamas, which is the best chance to save lives long-term and the only hope at achieving a permanent peace in the region," Walberg's spokesperson, Mike Rorke, stated.

"Congressman Walberg vehemently disagrees with putting our troops in harm's way. He has great empathy for the innocent people in Gaza who have been thrust into this situation due to the attack carried out by Hamas leaving 1,163 innocent civilians dead," Rorke added. "To this day, Hamas still is holding hostages, including Americans. Hamas should surrender and return the hostages."

Political condemnation

However, such explanations have done little to quell the backlash. Walberg's comments have been labeled as a "clear call to genocide" by critics, including the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which called for condemnation from all Americans who value human life and international law.

Dawud Walid, Executive Director of CAIR, stated, "To so casually call for what would result in the killing of every human being in Gaza sends the chilling message that Palestinian lives have no value," adding, "It is this dehumanization of the Palestinian people that has resulted in the ongoing slaughter and suffering we see every day in Gaza and the West Bank."

The United Nations food agency has warned of an imminent famine in northern Gaza, with two-thirds of the population facing catastrophic hunger.

Adding fuel to the fire, Walberg later suggested during the same town hall meeting that nuclear weapons should also be used in Russia's conflict with Ukraine to "defeat Putin quick."

His comments drew further criticism from Democratic lawmakers, with Michigan State Senator Darrin Camilleri calling him an "absolute disgrace" and demanding his resignation. 

Fellow Democrats also condemned Walberg's remarks.

"Threatening to use, suggesting the use of, or, God forbid actually using nuclear weapons, are unacceptable tactics of war in the 21st Century," wrote Democrat Michigan Rep. Haley Stevens. "As W.J. Hennigan recently & accurately described for the NYT, the use of nuclear weapons creates hell on earth."

"This is a reprehensible thing for anyone to suggest, especially an elected official and someone who considers himself a man of faith. Rep. Walberg should take back his comments, and try to put himself in the shoes of the many Michiganders who see themselves in the casualties in Gaza," Michigan Democrat Rep Elissa Slotkin said in a statement.

"It is an indefensible position to argue against humanitarian relief for the people of Gaza while also calling for the wholesale massacre of the Palestinian people. I could not disagree more with these extreme and dangerous comments," Michigan Democrat Rep. Dan Kildee offered, as reported by the Washington Post.

Social media backlash

Meanwhile, social media platforms have also been flooded with condemnation for Walberg.

"What kind of Christian is that?" one posted on X.

"Absolutely disgusting," another fumed.

"The astounding thing is that people like him get elected at all," a comment read.

"He’s just gross. Why do we elect people without a shred of humanity?" someone else added.

"Free speech, eh? That's hate speech," another chimed in.

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