House Minority Whip Katherine Clark Retracts Gaza Genocide Comments

U.S. House Minority Whip Katherine Clark clarified that she is not accusing Israel of genocide despite previously using the term “genocide and destruction” in reference to the situation in Gaza during a recent event. Clark emphasized the need for urgent action to bring hostages home, provide aid to Palestinians, oppose involuntary relocation, remove Hamas from power, and end the war. Her comments sparked controversy as she is the highest-ranking congressional Democrat to use the term, which carries significant political and historical weight, particularly in Israel due to the Holocaust. Clark's office maintained her stance on humanitarian aid and a ceasefire while walking back the specific accusation of genocide. Meanwhile, President Trump described the situation in Gaza as “terrible” but did not label it as genocide when asked about Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's characterization. The debate reflects broader tensions within U.S. politics over how to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the language used to describe it.