In her opening statement during her confirmation hearings before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Hillary Clinton gave a typically nuanced statement on the conflict in Gaza. She said that U.S. policy has to take into account Israel’s security concerns and Palestinian aspirations. Israel has a right to defend itself and stop the rocket fire, she said, but the conflict in Gaza is a reminder of the toll on both Israeli and Palestinian civilians. The Obama administration, she said, would work with all sides that desire peace.
