Updated: Tension over Gaza spills over into race

SANDUSKY — Tension over the bloody ongoing war in Gaza and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Wednesday speech to Congress has spilled over into the Ninth District U.S. House race. In a video clip about two minutes long, posted at her X.com account, U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo, criticized Netanyahu's speech and said the only solution is a negotiated peace that respects the rights of both the Palestinian and Israeli people. The campaign of state Rep. Derek Merrin, R-Monclova Township, Kaptur's opponent in the November election, criticized Kaptur for showing what it termed insufficient support for Israel. In her video clip, available at Kaptur's X.com account @RepMarcyKaptur, Kaptur criticized Netanyahu's "overwrought" remarks. She said Netanyahu "rightly pointed out Iran's threats to Israel and the world. But he offered little indication of how to end the suffering on this current conflict, rebuffing Israeli and American hostage families." Kaptur noted that the war has cost nearly 40,000 people killed. An agreement must be negotiated allowing for both states to co-exist, she stated. In the video, Kaptur noted that negotiating a peace treaty is made more difficult because Hamas has been designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. Merrin responded with a statement criticizing Kaptur. "Marcy Kaptur's misguided criticism of key U.S. ally Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's address before a joint session of Congress and expression of her disapproval of Hamas being designated a terrorist organization should be a wakeup call for every Ohioan who hopes for peace in the Middle East," Merrin said. "Neither the Israeli nor the Palestinian people will be able to live in peace with Iranian backed terrorist organizations fomenting chaos and death. Hamas has rightfully been designated a terrorist organization and has repeatedly rejected ceasefire agreements that would include the return of hostages. I continue to stand with Israel against the evil espoused by Hamas and other Iranian proxies," he said. Kaptur's office complained that Merrin's statement misrepresents what she said. "Congresswoman Kaptur had repeatedly called Hamas a terrorist organization and it is a lie to imply otherwise. It is a shame that some would play politics and gaslight by twisting her words that anyone can see on video for themselves," a spokesman said. Referring to the peace process, Kaptur said in her statement, "This entire process is made extremely difficult, as Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization and its leadership is divided. With whom does Israel negotiate?" (Her entire statement is below.) Mike Marinella, the Midwest spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, also weighed in, criticizing Kaptur for remaining seated when Netanyahu came to address Congress while most other Democratic lawmakers rose to their feet. "Marcy Kaptur sits down for Israel instead of standing up for victims of terror. Her extreme record and disappointing actions make it clear she is not on the side of our strongest ally in the Middle East," Marinella said. Update: Kaptur's office has released Kaptur's entire statement, in which Kaptur says, "Americans all stand firmly against terrorism." "Today, as Americans reflect on the one hour overwrought remarks delivered by Israel's Prime Minister on the ongoing war in Gaza, our primary objective must be to shape a diplomatic path forward with Allies toward peaceful resolution. He rightly pointed out Iran's threats to Israel and the world, but he offered little indication of how to end the suffering of this current conflict, rebuffing Israeli and American hostage families. "In his lengthy speech, there were only two sentences that outlined a practical road forward to peace. That path to peace needs to be carefully considered and not merely an afterthought. This entire process is made extremely difficult, as Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization and its leadership is divided. With whom does Israel negotiate? The recent journey to China by leaders of Hamas and Fatah appears to not have produced a realism or framework for negotiation on behalf of the Palestinian people. "Peaceful resolution requires that human rights for both the Israeli and Palestinian people be ensured. Americans all stand firmly against terrorism. Yet the devastating toll of this war has cost nearly 40,000 lives lost across Israel, Gaza, and neighboring regions. Such carnage compels the Free World to seek a more constructive path forward to end the persistent violence. Systems of justice and security must be negotiated for both states to coexist. "No one side alone will achieve lasting peace. Through partnership between the United States, our Israeli partners, the Palestinian people, and Allies in the region, we must prioritize an aggressive diplomatic initiative. This must lead to a negotiated solution, and it must respect the sovereignty, human rights, and dignity of both the Israeli and Palestinian people. Peaceful resolution is not just vital for this region, it is imperative for a world that watches and waits."