BOSTON — Members of the state’s all-Democrat congressional delegation are condemning Iran’s strike against Israel over the weekend and calling for stepped-up diplomacy to end the widening conflict.
Iran launched a missiles and drone attack on Israel on Saturday in retaliation for the alleged Israeli strike on the Iranian embassy that took out two senior Iranian officers. Most of the drones and missiles were either shut down by Israeli, U.S. or British forces, or failed to hit their intended targets, authorities said.
Rep. Seth Moulton, a Salem Democrat, blasted the attacks and said Iran’s actions risk sparking a “catastrophic” Middle Eastern war that could drag the U.S. and other Israeli allies into the conflict.
“Iran’s evil regime murders its own people at home and innocents abroad, funding terrorist groups across the Middle East – from Hamas and Hezbollah to the Houthis and proxies in Iraq that have killed scores of U.S. troops,” he said in a statement.
But Moulton, a Marine veteran, also urged Israel to show restraint in its response to the Iranian attacks and work toward a bilateral cease fire in the Gaza strip.
“It is neither in America’s national security interests, nor in Israel’s, to escalate into a full regional war,” he said. “As Israel weighs its next steps, it is critical that it remains focused on finishing its operations in Gaza and achieving a cease-fire-for-hostages deal – not on starting a new war while still having no endgame for their first.”
Rep. Lori Trahan, a Westford Democrat, issued a statement also condemning Iran’s attack and pledging to work to “support Israel’s ability to defend itself and its people, and bring an end to this conflict which threatens regional stability.”
“This is a dangerous and unnecessary escalation, and it comes at a time when the world’s focus should be on stopping the bloodshed in Gaza, releasing the hostages still held by Hamas, surging humanitarian support to innocent Palestinians, and returning to the hard work of achieving peace,” Trahan said.
Gov. Maura Healey posted on social media that “Massachusetts stands with the people of Israel and @POTUS in the face of this unprecedented attack by Iran.”
The attack on Israel came more than six months after Hamas terrorists invaded the country on Oct. 7, after which the Israeli military began its bombardment of the Gaza Strip. Iran had signaled that it planned to respond militarily to the Israeli strike on its embassy.
Republicans also criticized the strike, but pointed blame at President Joe Biden’s administration for its “appeasement” policy towards Iranian government.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said Israel is facing a “vicious” attack and the U.S. “must stand” by its ally. The Louisiana Republican accused the Biden administration of “undermining” Israel with conflicting policies about U.S. support.
“As Israel faces this vicious attack from Iran, America must show our full resolve to stand with our critical ally,” Johnson’s office said on social media. “The world must be assured: Israel is not alone.”
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., said the lower chamber will reconvene this week to consider legislation supporting Israel and to hold “Iran and its terrorist proxies accountable.”
“The House of Representatives stands strongly with Israel, and there must be consequences for this unprovoked attack,” he posted on social media.
But Moulton and other Democratic lawmakers pushed back on claims that the Biden administration contributed to the attacks.
“It shouldn’t be hard for the Republican Party to support democracies like Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan rather than catering to Russia, China, and insurrection-backing extremists in their own ranks,” he said.
Christian M. Wade covers the Massachusetts Statehouse for North of Boston Media Group’s newspapers and websites. Email him at cwade@cnhinews.com.