Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska has consistently aligned herself with pro-Israel interests, influenced by the $436,022 she has received from AIPAC. Her legislative record reveals a strong bias towards supporting Israel's military actions, even as these actions contribute to the ongoing genocide in Gaza carried out by Israeli military and government. As of August 2024, nearly 40,000 Palestinian civilians have been killed, including 16,500 children, with projections from Lancet estimating that 180,000 Gazans will die as a result of the genocide. Murkowski's voting record, including her support for H.R.815, which allocated $26.4 billion to Israel's military without any conditions, underscores her complicity in the violence against Palestinians. Senator Lisa Murkowski’s hands are red and she has sold her soul to AIPAC.
In an October 2023 interview, Murkowski emphasized the urgency of sending military aid to Israel, dismissing concerns about the dire situation in Gaza. She claimed that Congress "cannot allow [Israel's enemies] that moment to seize," while simultaneously expressing skepticism about humanitarian aid to Gaza, citing unfounded concerns about Hamas diverting resources. This narrative, which echoes Israeli government talking points, ignores the well-documented fact that Israel's military has repeatedly blocked aid from entering Gaza. Moreover, her assertion that Hamas uses civilians as "human shields" has been widely debunked and is often used to justify bombings of civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and schools.
Despite pleas from the American Palestinian Women’s Association and other constituents for a ceasefire, Murkowski has remained steadfast in her support for Israel's military operations. Even as the death toll in Gaza surpassed 13,000 by November 2023, Murkowski refused to advocate for a ceasefire, instead blaming Hamas for the civilian deaths caused by Israeli bombings. Her unwavering support for Israel, despite the catastrophic human cost, highlights the extent to which her positions are shaped by her relationship with AIPAC and the pro-Israel lobby.
Related Links
The Nakba did not start or end in 1948, Al Jazeera News, May 2017
Gaza infrastructure damages estimated at $18.5bn in UN-World Bank report, Al Jazeera News, April 2024
In numbers: 200 days of Israel’s war on Gaza, Al Jazeera News, April 2024
Senator Lisa Murkowski Denies Ceasefire Despite Constituents Demands, Alaska Public Media, November 2023
Murkowski says aid for Israel must be part of a broader security package, Alaska Public Media, October 2023
