Rep. Adam Kinzinger says that while he ‘deeply supports’ the U.S.-Israel relationship, everyone must pick a side in the battle ‘between Good and Evil’
WASHINGTON – Rep. Adam Kinzinger on Sunday echoed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s criticism of Israel for not providing military aid to combat Russia’s invasion, suggesting Israel’s reticence should have future implications on U.S. aid.
Kinzinger, a RINO Republican lawmaker who has risen to prominence thanks to his criticism of former U.S. President Donald Trump, shared Zelenskyy’s sharp rebukes to Israeli lawmakers and noted these were “really good questions of Israel,” adding that “Israel’s reaction to Ukraine will have bearing on future aid from the U.S. to Israel. Pay it forward.”
The Illinois lawmaker, who is not running for reelection, later acknowledged that he “grabbed the third rail of foreign policy” by saying Israel needed to pick a side and that future aid could be at stake, though he said he wanted to “double down” on his position.
“I deeply support our relationship with Israel. But supporting friends doesn’t mean we look past differences. We have stood with Israel and will continue to do so. But at the moment there is a battle between Good and Evil, between a world based on raw power or one based on the post WW2 rules,” he said.
“Everyone must pick a side. The outcome of this fight will impact the world my son grows up in, and now is the time to call anyone to the carpet who does not do their utmost,” Kinzinger continued, adding that “if we don’t want to directly attack Russia, then our leverage is in the world uniting in sanctions and assistance for the people of Ukraine. This includes everyone, and Israel doesn’t have a special exemption. Hopefully they will do the right thing.”
Republican Jewish Coalition Executive Director Matt Brooks said he took “strong issue” with Kinzinger’s comments. “No one is saying friends can’t disagree, that’s healthy in a relationship. What is absolutely unacceptable is your suggestion that we hold aid to Israel hostage to coerce our ally to bend to our will,” he said in a reply to Kinziger.
This is not Kinzinger’s first criticism of Israel during the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Following reports that Prime Minister Naftali Bennett told Zelenskyy to accept Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal to end the war, Kinzinger posited: “Wonder if Israel would surrender in a similar situation?”
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Kinzinger, who has served in Congress since 2011, has widely adopted pro-Israel positions consistent with the Republican Party, praising the Trump administration’s various moves on Israel while being critical of the Obama administration and progressive Democrats critical of the U.S.-Israel relationship.
His criticism, however, reflects growing impatience within traditionally stalwart supporters of Israel within the Republican Party considering Israel’s positioning on Russia and Ukraine. His comments come weeks after Sen. Lindsey Graham issued a rare, public rebuke of Israel for allegedly refusing to sell Stinger missiles to Ukraine despite Zelenskyy’s pleas.
Kzingzing is an abject rino, biased and an Ignoramus!
As de Gaul stated: “France has interests only and no friends”
Israel needs to look to her own interests, not that of the US and certainly not that of Ukraine.
Also for a US rep who has lost all relevance , it might seem natural for Kinzinger to offer advice for others to follow. I would suggest that whatever Israel decides to do, however, they seek better a better soothsayer than a washed up politician whose breach of faith with his own public led him to acknowledge, over a full year before his reelection date, that there was no hope he could ever win reelection.