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February 27, 2024

Pentagon Skirts Question About Military Members' Sentiments on U.S. Complicity in Gaza War
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Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder dodged a question from reporter Tara
Copp about how military members feel about the U.S.'s role in Gaza.

Tara Copp: "But is the secretary concerned that this might indicate that
there's a deeper issue, maybe U.S. military being - military personnel
being concerned about how weapons and support for Israel is being used
on civilians in Gaza?"

Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder: "Well, look, from a Department of Defense
standpoint, since Hamas's brutal attacks on October 7th, we've been
focused on the four key areas that the secretary set out from the onset.
That's protecting U.S. forces and citizens in the region, supporting
Israel's inherent right to defend itself from terrorist attacks, working
closely with Israel to support and secure the release of hostages from
Hamas."