Schiff: Israel ‘Certainly’ Guilty of ‘Ethnic Cleansing’ in Gaza

Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) said Tuesday that Israel is “certainly” guilty of “ethnic cleansing” in Gaza, while stopping short of accusing the country of genocide. In an interview on CNN’s “The Story Is,” Schiff argued that the term genocide carries a specific legal meaning that he doesn’t believe applies, but he insisted that Israel’s military campaign has crossed into ethnic cleansing.

“I wouldn’t say [genocide], because genocide has a very specific legal meaning. I don’t think this meets the definition of genocide, but I think it’s certainly ethnic cleansing,” Schiff told host Elex Michaelson. He added that “there should be investigations, because there may very well have been war crimes committed as well.”

Schiff’s Stance on Israel and the War

The comments came after Michaelson pressed Schiff on the growing number of Democrats who describe Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a war criminal and label Israel an apartheid state, with some urging the U.S. to halt all military aid to Israel over allegations of genocide.

Schiff, who has been a vocal critic of the Israeli government’s conduct in the ongoing conflict, acknowledged that he voted against the last two U.S. arms requests for Israel. He cited “excessive force in Gaza” and the expansion of the war against Iran in Lebanon as key reasons for his opposition, arguing that these actions are “not in the interests of either Israel or peace in the region.”

The California senator also highlighted his recent letter, signed by more than 40 Democratic colleagues, condemning settler violence in the West Bank. He expressed fierce opposition to proposed new settlements that he said “would effectively prevent a Palestinian state.”

Balancing Security Concerns and Human Rights

Despite his strong criticism, Schiff reaffirmed his belief that Israel has “a right to exist and exist as a Jewish state” and that it has “a right to defend itself.” But he emphasized that those rights don’t extend to “using excessive force to ethnically cleanse or destroy whole blocks of neighborhoods in Gaza or elsewhere.”

Schiff’s remarks reflect a delicate balancing act within the Democratic Party, where a growing progressive wing has called for more forceful action against Israel, while more moderate members—and the Biden administration—have continued to support Israel’s right to self-defense even as they push for restraint and a ceasefire.

The senator’s use of the phrase “ethnic cleansing” is likely to draw sharp reactions from both pro-Israel advocates and supporters of the Palestinian cause. Pro-Israel groups often reject such terminology, while Palestinian rights organizations have long accused Israel of engaging in policies that amount to ethnic cleansing—the forced displacement of a population along ethnic lines.

Israel has consistently denied such allegations, insisting that its military operations are aimed at Hamas and other militant groups, not at civilians. The Israeli government has also dismissed accusations of genocide and war crimes as baseless, pointing to its efforts to minimize civilian casualties even as it says it must dismantle Hamas’s military capabilities.

Investigation Call Echoes Wider Calls for Accountability

Schiff’s call for investigations into potential war crimes aligns with demands from human rights groups and international bodies. The International Criminal Court has been looking into the situation in Gaza, and several countries have called for independent probes into the conduct of both Israeli forces and Palestinian militants.

The senator did not specify who should conduct these investigations, but his comments add to the chorus of voices pushing for legal accountability. His stance also highlights the difficulty Democrats face in addressing the conflict—simultaneously condemning violence and defending Israel’s existence while navigating complex geopolitical and legal debates.

Schiff, who has gained national prominence as a leading figure in Democratic politics, is among the most high-profile senators to publicly label Israel’s actions in Gaza as ethnic cleansing. His remarks could influence the broader discussion within his party, particularly as the 2026 midterm elections approach and as the administration continues to navigate its military aid commitments to Israel.

“I voted against the last two arms requests of the administration for Israel, for a variety of reasons,” Schiff said, offering a rare direct explanation of his dissent from the White House’s policy. “I think they’re using excessive force in Gaza.”

The interview also touched on the ongoing conflict with Iran, with Schiff suggesting that Israel’s military activities in Lebanon have been counterproductive to regional stability. His criticism of the expansion of the war comes as tensions between Israel and Hezbollah continue to flare.

As the war grinds on, Schiff’s comments are likely to be seized upon by both sides of the debate. For critics of Israel, his willingness to use the term “ethnic cleansing” lends mainstream legitimacy to their claims. For supporters, the senator’s refusal to call it genocide may be seen as a nuanced—but still damaging—position that undermines Israel’s international standing.

Schiff’s remarks also come amid ongoing violence in the West Bank, where settler attacks on Palestinian communities have been on the rise. The senator’s letter, signed by over 40 Democrats, called out what he described as contributing to “the loss of life and instability” in the region.

For now, the Democrat’s position remains a tightrope: acknowledging Palestinian suffering and human rights concerns while avoiding the legal label of genocide, and insisting on Israel’s security needs even as he condemns its actions. Whether his “certainly ethnic cleansing” formulation will satisfy either side is another question.

Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2026/09/09/schiff-israel-certainly-guilty-of-ethnic-cleansing/