Senate hopeful Talarico says he'll call for ban on sale of offensive military weapons to Israel

State Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, speaks at Thursday’s town hall in New Braunfels. Credit: Michael Karlis

State Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, on Thursday told a capacity crowd at a New Braunfels town hall that he’ll work to ban the sale of offensive military weapons to Israel if elected to represent Texas in the U.S. Senate.

“Israel has a right to exist and has a right to defend itself,” said Talarico, who’s running to replace four-term Republican U.S. Sen. John Cornyn. “But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not have the right to wage war against civilians. He does not have the right to use famine or collective punishment as tactics in that war.”

Talarico acknowledged that the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attack on Israel was the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. However, he said the U.S. and Israel have the responsibility to lead with moral clarity and uphold their democratic ideals.

“You can be a friend to Israel, but being a friend means holding your friend accountable,” Talarico said.

The Democratic wunderkind has shouldered criticism from some on the left for appearing to dodge earlier questions on the bloodshed there.

Talarico’s remarks came at the Hidden Gem of Gruene event center in Comal County, which last voted for a Democratic presidential candidate in 1936. With the roughly 350-seat venue at full capacity, at least 100 people stood outside and listened to the state rep’s remarks through a sound system.

During the gathering, Talarico answered questions about a range of topics, from Texas’ attacks on academic freedom to the ICE slaying of Renee Good to state government’s infringement on the lawmaking abilities of municipalities.

One of the night’s most contentious moments came when a person who identified as a Mexican American voter asked Talarico what he thought about Democratic primary opponent U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s remark that some Latino voters have a “slave mentality.”

Talarico responded by saying that he and his campaign won’t “write off any voter” or “any community,” adding that he has deep respect for anyone willing to run for higher office.

Talarico and Crockett — the latter of whom will host a similar town hall in San Antonio on Sunday — are scheduled to face off in a Saturday, Jan. 24, debate in Georgetown sponsored by the AFL-CIO.

Subscribe to SA Current newsletters.

Senate hopeful Talarico says he’ll call for ban on sale of offensive military weapons to Israel

Tags: