From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
State Department dismisses ‘deplorable’ comments by firebrand Likud MK
Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
Likud backbencher Tally Gotliv receives a mention at the US State Department briefing when a reporter asks about incendiary comments she made at the Knesset earlier today.
“The US is threatening not to give us precision missiles. Well, I have news for the US: We have imprecise missiles! So maybe instead of using a precise missile to take out a specific room or a specific building, I’ll use my imprecise missiles to flatten 10 buildings. That’s what I’ll do. If you don’t give me precise missiles, I’ll use imprecise missiles,” the Likud MK declared.
Responding to the comments, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller calls them “absolutely deplorable,” adding that senior members of the Israeli government should refrain from making them. The freshman lawmaker is only part of the ruling coalition and is not a cabinet minister, nor does she chair any Knesset committees.
Miller says Gotliv’s comments will have no impact on US policy decisions, which he says are made based on the best interests of the American people and the region more broadly.
The Times of Israel Community.