Republican U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann declared he would support Israel forever and declared "Goodbye to Palestine" in a video posted Wednesday, in which he and pro-Palestinian activists yelled over one another.
What the congressman from Southeast Tennessee meant by the statement remains unclear. His spokesperson did not respond to a phone call or several questions sent Thursday morning by email.
A minute-and-half long video of the exchange, posted Wednesday by the activist group Codepink, which has amassed tens of thousands of views on YouTube and social media, shows Fleischmann in a blue suit and red tie walking briskly down a hallway as activists pepper him with questions.
"Why do you support the genocide and all of the war crimes and collective punishment?" an activist asked. "Are you concerned about all the children dying in Gaza?"
Fleischmann responded, "Let me make it clear: Israel is our ally, will always be our ally, they are not guilty of genocide, and I will support Israel forever."
Another activist walking beside Fleischmann asked if Israel will remain his ally even as it commits "genocide."
Fleischmann, continuing to face forward and walk down the hall, said that term was the activist's, not his own.
Gaza is experiencing a humanitarian catastrophe as people reportedly scavenge for food amid Israel's monthslong military campaign there, during which a reported 30,000 people, many of them children, have been killed, The Associated Press has reported.
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Israel invaded after Hamas on Oct. 7 launched a surprise attack on Israel, taking captives and killing a reported 1,200 people.
The brutal conflict has divided the U.S., with conservatives and some liberals backing the U.S. support for Israel, even as much of the world and many Americans condemn Israel's military campaign and call for an immediate cease-fire.
What they said
"Israel will win this war against Hamas, and the United States of America will support Israel until they finish the job."
— U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, in a statement posted on social media after his hallway encounter with an activist went viral.
"This behavior is inappropriate for a congressman; our nation's leaders must tackle difficult questions without resorting to anger and calling for the eradication of an entire nation."
— Jack Allen, a Democrat challenging Fleischmann for his seat in Congress, in an emailed statement saying he was disappointed in Fleischmann's comment.
In the video posted Wednesday, an activist cited what he said was a statistic about child deaths in Gaza.
"Let me tell you a statistic," Fleischmann responded. "The Jewish state will exist, it will always exist, and that is for God to do and to decide. And I will always support Israel. I will always support Israel, and you can tell the Palestinians, I will never support them!"
One of the activists said he was Palestinian and told Fleischmann to say it to his face.
"Then I will tell you, I will never support you," Fleischmann said, turning to face the man. "Then I will tell you to your face: Goodbye to Palestine. I support Israel. Goodbye to Palestine. We will support Israel forever."
Another activist cut in as Fleischmann turned a corner and pressed the button of an elevator.
"You just said 'goodbye to Palestine,'" she said. "So you just said you are comfortable with the murder of thousands of children."
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Fleischmann, waiting for the elevator, turned around.
"The Jewish people will never suffer again under Palestinian terrorism, under Hamas, under Hezbollah. Israel will be secure forever," he said, thrusting his hands up and down.
"God Bless Israel forever!" he added, as he backed into the elevator. "And the Jewish state!"
Fleischmann pressed a button inside the elevator as an activist asked, "So you want to wipe Palestine off the earth, yeah?"
The elevator door closed between Fleischmann and the activists, and congressmen yelled, "God bless Israel forever!"
Contact Andrew Schwartz at aschwartz@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6431.