{
  "id": 14824920,
  "title": "Talarico blames Netanyahu, not Israeli people, for devastation in Gaza",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/talarico-blames-netanyahu-not-israeli-people-for-devastation-in-gaza",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-16T00:26:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-911897"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "James Talarico, the Democratic nominee for the US Senate in Texas, has stated that he blames Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, not the Israeli people, for the civilian devastation in Gaza. Running neck and neck against Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton in a tight race that could determine which party controls the Senate this November, Talarico asserts that Netanyahu has no right to wage war against civilians or use collective punishment. In a recent CNN town hall, Talarico emphasized his stance, stating that Israel, like any nation, has a right to defend its people, but he believes Netanyahu's actions towards civilians are unjustifiable. According to a recent Texas Politics Project poll, Paxton is trailing Talarico by three points, with 47% of respondents supporting Talarico and 50% backing Paxton, with a margin of error of 3.34 percentage points. Talarico has previously supported stopping arms sales to Netanyahu's government and has called for military aid to be conditioned on ending the death and destruction in Gaza and the West Bank. During the town hall, Talarico addressed Rabbi Holly Levin Cohn, acknowledging the trauma Israelis are experiencing following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, which he described as the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust. Talarico advocated for a two-state solution and expressed his hope for a resolution that provides security for Israel and freedom and self-determination for Palestinians. He also praised Rabbi Neil Blumofe at Congregation Agudas Achim in Austin, where he had his first year of seminary studies.",
  "summary": "Israel has been one of many sources of disagreement among the candidates, who have sparred on issues ranging from affordability to immigration to reproductive rights.",
  "key_points": [
    "James Talarico blames Netanyahu, not Israeli people, for Gaza devastation",
    "Talarico advocates for two-state solution, ending collective punishment",
    "Recent poll shows Talarico leading Paxton by 3 points in Texas Senate race"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Talarico’s distinction between the Israeli leadership and its people signals a strategic attempt to balance support for national security with calls for conditioning military aid on humanitarian improvements.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}