The Israel-Hamas Conflict

Since Hamasâ horrific terrorist attack on October 7th, I have been outspoken about Hamasâ barbarism and Israel's right to defend itself.

I have also spoken out strongly on the need for Israel to protect innocent civilians in Gaza, both for moral and military reasons. The casualty rates are unacceptable and the humanitarian situation is dire; and worst of all, this ultimately gives strength to Hamas. Israelis and Palestinians should agree that nobody will ever have peace and security so long as terrorists rule Gaza. Everyone should also agree that rights and security for both Israelis and Palestinians are interdependent, so we must pursue solutions to ensure both rights and security for all.

In December, I sent a letter to President Biden, co-signed with other veteran Democrats in the House, urging Israel to learn from our mistakes in Iraq and Afghanistan and change strategy to a counterinsurgency campaign. This means dramatically reducing civilian casualties, establishing on-the-ground relationships with civilians to build trust and restore long-term security, and most of all, having a viable political endgame that everyone can buy into.

In an op-ed for TIME earlier that month, I made the case that the Battle of Fallujah, fought by the Marines almost two decades ago, offers key lessons for Israel as it continues its war against Hamas. Just as the Marines shifted strategy to reduce civilian casualties in Fallujah, Israel must tighten its rules of engagement and make protecting innocent civilians a core strategic objective.

Just days before Israeli troops went into Gaza in October, I published a piece on CNN.com in which I first argued that Israel must learn from Americaâs mistakes in Iraq and Afghanistan if it is to avoid a âforever war." Drawing from my experiences as a Marine conducting a counterinsurgency campaign in Iraq, I urged Israeli leaders to focus on "getting the âbig ideas right,â to quote General Petraeus, most especially the desired endgame and a path to getting there.

A full list of my statements, letters, op-eds, and interviews is below. I have also been outspoken about the rash of antisemitism across America, including at my alma mater, Harvard University.

For my recent statements and commentary specifically on the U.S. response to Houthi militant attacks in the Red Sea and the recent attacks against U.S. military personnel by Iran-backed groups in Jordan, Iraq, and Syria, please visit this page.

Letters:

December 6th: Letter to President Biden on Israel's Current Military Operations
December 18th: Letter to President Biden on Israel's Military Strategy
- Covered on NBC News: "Democratic lawmakers who served in uniform and in the CIA urge Biden to push Israel to change course in Gaza"

Statements on Israel and Gaza:

October 7th Statement on the Attacks Against Israel
October 9th Statement on Harvard's Response to the Attacks
November 3rd Statement Calling for Civilian Evacuation and Surge of Aid into Gaza
November 28th Statement on Israeli Hostage Releases
December 6th Statements on Congressional Testimony by University Leaders on Campus Antisemitism (1,2)
December 11th response to calls for President Claudine Gay to resign (Quoted in Jewish Insider and Massachusetts Playbook)
January 12th Statement on South Africa ICJ Inquiry
February 7th: Vote Explainer: Israel Emergency Supplemental Appropriations
March 19th Statement on the Situation in Gaza
April 20th Vote Explainer for the Israeli Defense and Humanitarian Aid Supplemental

Newsletter:

A Note on Israel and Gaza

Op-Eds:

CNN: "Netanyahu Needs an End Game" (Oct. 19)
TIME: "The Lesson Israel Must Learn From Americaâs Fight in Fallujah" (Dec. 4)
FOX News: "I fought in Iraq, Israel has a sacred obligation to protect innocents that all those in uniform share" (Dec. 22)
- Related: Wall Street Journal Letter to the Editor (Dec. 20)
Salem News: Moulton: 'Core principles' should guide US approach to Israel-Gaza conflict

Vote Explainers:

H.R. 7217: Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Israel (Feb. 6)
H. Res 927: Condemning Anti-Semitism on University Campuses (Dec. 14)
H.R. 894: Strongly Condemning Antisemitism (Dec. 6)
H.R. 845: Censuring Rashida Tlaib (Nov. 8)

Watch:

For Rep. Moulton's recent interviews on the U.S. response to the ongoing Houthi militant attacks in the Red Sea and attacks against U.S. military personnel by Iran-backed groups, please visit this page.