Scarborough calls the continued 'indiscriminate' killing of Gaza civilians 'asinine.' Scarborough: Israel actions 'asinine'

Joe Scarborough on Thursday had harsh words for Israel’s actions in Gaza, saying the country was engaging in “indiscriminate” killing.

“This is asinine,” said the MSNBC host and former Republican congressman. “This continued killing of women and children in a way that appears to be indiscriminate is asinine.”


Scarborough described himself as having a record as one of Israel’s biggest supporters, saying, “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.”

But on Thursday he warned that the mounting civilian death toll was not just tragic for the Palestinians, but harmful both to Israel and the U.S.

( Also on POLITICO: Scarborough explains Israel remarks)

“The United States of America — we cannot be associated with this if this continues. This is so bad, not only for the Israeli people, but for us,” Scarborough said.

More than 1,300 Palestinians, most of whom are reported to be civilians, have died since the conflict began earlier this month, according to The Associated Press. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials have accused Hamas of deliberately stockpiling weapons in civilian areas to increase the death toll.

Scarborough, a contributor at POLITICO, said the backlash against Israel from this conflict will create a much more radical organization than Hamas.

( Also on POLITICO: 10 Israeli media attacks on Kerry)

“[A]s much as we all hate Hamas, what is going to replace Hamas is going to be much worse,” he said. “It is going to be a radical Islamist group instead of just power-hungry, corrupt people that despise Israel. This is such a nightmare that is unfolding.”

He added that Israel was squandering support from other Arab states. The New York Times reported Thursday that several states, including Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, are showing solidarity with Israel in the conflict due to their opposition to Hamas.

In an interview with POLITICO later Thursday, Scarborough said he was a bit surprised to receive considerable response to his comments and clarified that he stands by Israel.

“I remain as unambiguously strong a supporter of Israel as I always have been,” he said.

“I didn’t think that this would spur discussion, but it certainly has,” Scarborough added, noting that most of the feedback he has received has been “positive and understanding.”

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