Murphy Says Israel 'Not Aligned' With U.S. National Security Objectives

Sen. Chris Murphy said Sunday that Israel's current government is no longer acting consistently with American national security interests, citing its conduct in Gaza and its rhetoric during the conflict with Iran.

Speaking on NBC's "Meet the Press," Murphy distinguished between support for the U.S.-Israel relationship and support for the current Israeli government's policies. "I want there to be a strong U.S.-Israel relationship. I support Israel. I cannot support this government's actions. They are not aligned with U.S. national security objectives," He said.

Murphy indicated that his concerns have made it harder for him to back continued U.S. Arms transfers to Israel under the present government. He said he supports a two-state solution and believes a change in Israeli leadership and policy would be necessary before lawmakers with similar views could support ongoing military assistance.

"And so I think that until we have a different government and a different policy in Israel, it's going to be hard for people like me that want a Palestinian state, side by side with a Jewish state in the region, to support continuing to send arms to Israel," He added.

The senator's remarks followed Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu's statement during Sunday's Cabinet meeting that, as long as he remains in office, no Palestinian state will be established "neither in Gaza nor in Judea and Samaria."

Murphy's comments also came after a recent House vote on an amendment to end unconditional U.S. Aid to Israel, which failed 314-104, with Democrats divided on the measure.

Addressing party disagreements on Israel policy, Murphy said differing Democratic views reflect healthy debate. "We have disagreements inside the Democratic Party," He said. "And that's the sign of a healthy party. What's the alternative? Well, the alternative is the Republican Party, in which they are not allowed to have disagreements. The only thing they can think is what Donald Trump thinks. That's not a healthy party. I want to be a part of a party that occasionally actually has disagreements inside it."