GOP Congressman Brian Mast Under Fire for Comparing Palestinian Civilians to Nazis Amid Ongoing Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Controversial statement made amid escalating violence in Israel and Gaza that has claimed over 8,000 Palestinian and 1,400 Israeli lives, with disputed bill seeking to slow humanitarian aid transfers gaining traction in Congress.

Florida GOP Congressman Brian Mast controversially compared Palestinian civilians to Nazi civilians, casting doubt on the innocence of Palestinians amidst the escalating Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
His statement sparked outrage from several lawmakers, including Democratic Senator Brian Schatz and Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar, who labeled Mast’s comments as racist and genocidal.
Mast, known for his support of Israel, has previously appeared in Congress wearing an Israeli military uniform and has volunteered with the Israeli Defense Force.
The conflict has led to over 8,000 Palestinian deaths and 1,400 Israeli lives lost. Despite this, a proposed bill by Mast to slow down humanitarian aid transfers is gaining traction in Congress, as agencies struggle to determine which recipients are linked to Hamas.
The Biden administration has requested Congress's approval for a $14.3 billion aid package to Israel, while a bill introduced by Speaker Mike Johnson has proposed cuts to the IRS, deterring broad Democratic support.