Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY) says that the Republicans who hyped a conspiracy theory that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton faked her concussion to avoid testifying about September attacks in Benghazi were the “same people who said that the moon landing was staged in a Hollywood set.”

MSNBC host Richard Lui on Monday asked Israel if he had heard anything new about Clinton’s health after it was reported that she was hospitalized because a blood clot was discovered during an exam to follow up on her recent concussion.

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“I’ve not heard anything new about her health,” Israel replied, adding that Clinton was “as tough as nails… she is strong, she is resilient.”

Lui pointed out that Republicans like Rep. Allen West (FL) and former United States Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton — as well as numerous Fox News personalities — had repeatedly mocked Clinton by suggesting that her illness was a manufactured “diplomatic illness” or “Benghazi allergy” to avoid testifying before lawmakers.

“That’s what’s wrong with Washington, the people who invent conspiracies behind every cloud,” Israel explained. “These are the same people who said that the moon landing was staged in a Hollywood set.”

“Let this woman rest, let her get well and give her some space,” he suggested. “Stop creating a conspiracy behind every cloud.”

Watch this video from MSNBC, broadcast Dec. 31, 2012.

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(h/t: Mediaite)