As rocket exchange between Israel and the Gaza Strip entered into its sixth day this weekend, with no deal between Israeli leaders and Hamas in sight, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie laid blame — in part — on President Obama.
“Israel is not sure that they have America’s full support like they used to,” the Republican governor and possible 2016 candidate told reporters Saturday while attending a meeting of the National Governors Association.
“That’s a real failure of this presidency, in my view,” said Christie, the group’s chairman. “And I think the unrest you see in the Middle East is caused in some measure — not completely, but in some measure — by the fact that this president has not acted in a decisive, consistent way.”
The Obama administration has offered to help broker a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Over the past week, Secretary of State John Kerry and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have had multiple phone conversations, during which Kerry has condemned Palestinian rocket attacks and affirmed Israel’s right to defend itself. However, the Obama administration has cautioned against a ground attack into Gaza, something Netanyahu has not ruled out.
When asked if Obama should take military action if necessary, Christie declined to answer.
Emma Margolin
Emma Margolin is a reporter at MSNBC.com.