Portrait of Hillary Clinton
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Hillary Clinton on Gaza

Critical of anti-Israel narrative (strong)

Hillary Clinton's recent public commentary regarding Gaza has often centered on challenging the narrative she sees emerging, particularly among younger generations, regarding Israel's actions.

She has claimed that opposition to Israel and its conduct in Gaza stems largely from young people consuming "totally made up" propaganda on social media, suggesting they lack historical context for the conflict.

Historically, as Secretary of State and in later commentary, Clinton has highlighted the breakdown of the Clinton Parameters peace effort and has differentiated between advocating for a humanitarian pause versus a comprehensive ceasefire during active conflict, arguing the latter could freeze the situation to Hamas's advantage.

Furthermore, Hillary Clinton has suggested that achieving future peace, including a two-state solution, will require new leadership among both Israelis and Palestinians.

Context

Hillary Clinton's relevance to the Gaza issue is rooted in her tenure as Secretary of State (2009-2013) and her role in the Clinton Administration's peace efforts, particularly the Camp David Summit in 2000.

Her long history in foreign policy, including her time as a U.S. Senator, means her statements on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are viewed through the lens of established diplomatic engagement and past administration policies.

Timeline

  1. Her husband's administration offered the Clinton Parameters peace plan, which Hillary Clinton points to as a moment when a Palestinian state could have been established, noting the Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat rejected the offer.
  2. As a Senator, Clinton supported legislation opposing supposed 'Terrorism' by Palestinians and praised Israeli bombardments of Lebanon and Gaza.
  3. Hillary Clinton states she personally negotiated a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
  4. She argued against a full ceasefire immediately following the October 7th attack, stating it would freeze the situation in Hamas's favor, while supporting humanitarian pauses for aid and hostage release.
  5. Stressed that Hamas broke the existing ceasefire on October 7, 2023, with its assault and has a history of stealing aid and violating past agreements.
  6. Hillary Clinton suggested that new leadership among both Israelis and Palestinians is necessary for any future peace deal, including a two-state solution.
  7. Speaking at a conference, Clinton asserted that young people's opposition to Israel in Gaza is driven by "totally made up" social media propaganda and a lack of historical knowledge.

Key Quotes

Secretary Clinton's framing is not at all an accurate reflection of why Americans are growing more critical of Israel.

Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention and Human Security statement December 1, 2025 — A response to Clinton's claim that criticism of Israel is due to propaganda.

I think there needs to be new leadership of the Israelis and the Palestinians in order to have any chance at some kind of peace deal, especially a two-state solution.”

Bloomberg New Economy Forum November 8, 2023 — Remarks on the necessary conditions for future peace negotiations.

I don't think Israel is interested in a ceasefire at this point... but they are perhaps willing to have what we do call humanitarian pause is for the purpose of both getting aid in... but also getting the more than 240 hostages out.

Bloomberg New Economy Forum interview November 1, 2023 — Differentiating between a ceasefire and a humanitarian pause in November 2023.

Propaganda is not education... Anybody who is teaching in a university or anyone who is putting content on social media should be held responsible for what they include and what they exclude.

MSNBC Morning Joe interview May 1, 2024 — Criticism of the information sources used by student protesters.

Related Positions

  • two-state-solution Clinton consistently references the historical two-state solution path, including her husband's proposal, as the benchmark for future peace.
  • us-israel-relations Her history, including as Senator and Secretary of State, reflects a traditional, supportive stance toward the U.S.-Israel relationship.
  • social-media-influence A key element of her recent commentary is blaming social media content for shaping negative views toward Israel regarding the Gaza conflict.

Criticism

Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention and Human Security

Termed her remarks on Israel's war on Gaza as “outright genocide denial” and stated her framing was not an accurate reflection of why Americans are critical of Israel.

Truthout / Commentators

Accused Hillary Clinton of having a long history of justifying violence against Palestinians and focusing on Israel's 'PR' rather than the 'reality of genocidal violence' in Gaza.

Pro-Palestinian activists

Condemned Clinton's criticism of student protesters and their sources of information, viewing her stance as dismissive of Palestinian suffering.