Former presidential candidate and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has met with a delegation of 16 children and siblings of Israeli hostages being held by Hamas terrorists.
The meeting took place in New York on Wednesday, and Clinton reportedly urged the families to continue putting pressure on the Israeli government to help secure the release of the hostages.
During the meeting, Clinton made a slight dig at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, suggesting that he prioritizes politics and personal survival over the hostages. She stated that while the hostages are not Israel’s primary target, anything that she or President Joe Biden say or do is of little value.
Clinton told the delegation that she was aware of a “Christmas deal” being worked on for the release of more hostages, but the details were still being resolved between the Israeli government and Hamas. The meeting was organized by Israeli graduate students at Columbia University, where Clinton is a professor.
Journalist Caroline Glick criticized Clinton for her comments, calling her a “disgraceful woman.” The Democratic Party has a complicated relationship with Netanyahu, and Clinton’s husband openly supported Netanyahu’s opponent in the 1999 Israel general elections.
The meeting comes in the midst of heightened tensions between Israel and Hamas, with ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip and Jerusalem. President Joe Biden himself recently criticized Netanyahu during the White House’s Hanukkah reception on Dec. 11.