MSNBC host and former Republican Rep. Joe Scarborough offered a heated criticism of Israel during his show on Thursday, saying the nation appeared to be carrying out “indiscriminate” killings during its conflict in Gaza.
“I’ve always been a 100 percent supporter of Israel. The joke in Congress was anytime I wanted a key to the city of Tel Aviv, I could, you know, get a gold-plated one,” Scarborough said on “Morning Joe.”
But, he said, recent reports from the Middle East were troubling.
“I’m sorry this just, this is asinine. This continued killing of women and children in a way that appears to be indiscriminate is asinine,” he said. “It is bad, of course it is tragic for the Palestinian people. It is bad for the Israeli people. I mean, we will rue the day that this is happening every day.”
The Associated Press reported Thursday more than 1,300 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since July 8, with most of the victims being civilians.
Scarborough said the growing civilian casualty rate could hurt America’s standing because of its relationship with Israel.
“We share Israel’s values a hell of a lot, a lot more than the people they’re bombing, but you know what? The United States of America, we cannot be associated with this if this continues,” he said. “This is so bad, not only for the Israeli people, but for us.”
Watch the video via MSNBC. Scarborough’s criticism begins at about the 7-minute mark:
