US Congressman says Gaza should be nuked, not sent aid

A US Congressman has called for a nuclear bomb to be dropped on Gaza rather than for humanitarian aid to be sent to the besieged and devastated Palestinian territory.

Tim Walberg, a Republican representative from Michigan, which has a sizeable Arab community, was recorded making the comments during a meeting with his constituents. The footage was widely shared on social media.

"Why are we spending our money to build a port for them?" Walberg asks, in reference to a temporary port the US plans on building for Gaza which it says will be used to send in aid.

"It’s [President] Joe Biden’s reason: We need to get humanitarian aid into Gaza. I don’t think we should," said the Walberg, as he went on to accuse Iran and Russia, and "probably" North Korea and China too, of aiding Hamas.

"We shouldn’t be spending a dime on humanitarian aid. It should be like Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Get it over quick."

Walberg later released a statement backtracking on his remarks but did not apologise.

He said his call for Gaza to be nuked was a "metaphor" to stress the need for Israel to win its war "as swiftly as possible without putting American troops in harm’s way."

"The use of this metaphor, along with the removal of context, distorted my message, but I fully stand by these beliefs and stand by our allies," his statement concluded.

Israel’s ruthless air and ground campaign in Gaza has killed over 32,800 people since October 7 last year. Its destruction of hospitals and infrastructure and its prevention of aid deliveries has caused famine in the territory. 

Walberg also spoken about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, where he called for Vladimir Putin’s “quick” defeat.

Wow. Michigan Republican Representative Tim Walberg, on Gaza:

“We shouldn’t be spending a dime on humanitarian aid. It should be like Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Get it over quick.”pic.twitter.com/Qt4xzwmV2B

— Prem Thakker (@prem_thakker) March 30, 2024

The Republican congressman was slammed for his remarks, which echoed those made by some Israeli politicians previously.

Users on X, formerly Twitter, commented on an Easter message he posted on his account, highlighting the irony of celebrating a joyous Christian occasion whilst calling for the genocide of millions of people.

"Resign and I suggest spending time in prayer and asking Jesus to remove your genocidal spirit and come back to the light," one person said.

"Your apology means nothing @RepWalberg. The only corrective action is to RESIGN NOW and withdraw from public life. People with your way of thinking have no place in leadership, nor civilized society. Know that you brought this public fury upon yourself," another person wrote.

Despite criticism of the Israeli government's handling of the Gaza war and its indiscriminate killing of civilians, the US has continued to provide military support to Israel