EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.—U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Ill., said Monday that she’s encouraged by reports of a U.S.-brokered deal between Israel and Hamas that would include the release of hostages and some form of a ceasefire, but reiterated that Israel has a right to defend itself.
The White House pushed back over the weekend at reports that said the deal was completed.
Budzinski’s Democratic colleague across the Mississippi River, U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, D-St. Louis, has continued to stake out a position calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, angering pro-Israeli groups
Bush in a social media post Monday described Israel’s actions in Gaza as war crimes and called for an end to the “siege on Gaza.”
A congressional resolution she introduced calling for a ceasefire now has more than 30 co-sponsors. U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., has also endorsed a ceasefire connected to a hostage release.
Slate reports the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee could spend at least $100 million on Democratic congressional primaries next year with the goal of ousting incumbents like Bush, who has used the reporting in fundraising appeals on social media.
St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell pivoted from his U.S. Senate campaign to run against Bush in the first congressional district, and there has been speculation, although no announcement, that State Sen. Brian Williams, D-University City, could also join the race.
Whichever Democrat wins the primary will be a prohibitive favorite in a general election.
Budzinski said she supports Bush’s work on issues of environmental justice but said she would leave it to Bush to address her own political fortunes.
“There was a ceasefire until October 7 when Hamas, a terrorist organization killed innocent civilians in Israel, took well over 200 people hostage into Gaza and so I have consistently said that Israel has a right to defend itself but I have also voiced real concerns around the humanitarian crisis that there is in Gaza,” Budzinski said.
“Ultimately our priority should be around getting those hostages released, protecting innocent civilians while also Israel having a right, as it should be abiding by international law, to defend itself,” she said.