Rep. Susan Wild (D-Pa.) recently found herself in a predicament when it was discovered that she had sent conflicting letters to constituents regarding her stance on Israel and the war in Gaza. The letters, written on May 21 and signed by Wild, were in response to pleas from a mother and daughter urging her to support Israel’s war against Hamas.
In one letter, addressed to the mother, Wild expressed strong support for Israel. She described the ongoing tragedy in Israel as “outrageous, devastating, and heartbroken.” She condemned the terrorist attacks launched by Hamas and vowed to stand with the Israeli people and all fellow Jews around the world during this difficult time. Wild also mentioned her visit to Israel in February 2023, where she witnessed firsthand the terror and devastation experienced by the people she met. She grieved for the innocent lives caught in the violence and promised to do everything in her power to secure the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas. Wild firmly believed in Israel’s right to defend itself and pledged to ensure the country’s security and safety.
However, in the letter to the daughter, Wild took a different tone. She expressed her outrage, devastation, and heartbreak over the tragedy unfolding in Gaza. Wild made it clear that no human life is worth more than any other. She criticized Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023, calling it “unforgivable” and stating that the terror group must be brought to justice. She then shifted her focus to Israel’s military response, which she believed had inflicted devastation on innocent Palestinian children, families, and civilians in Gaza. Wild called on the Biden Administration to act more aggressively and convey to the Israeli government that its actions must align with international and U.S. law. She had been urging the administration to secure an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages.
Wild also highlighted her efforts to increase humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip and her commitment to pushing for robust U.S. diplomatic engagement to end the bloodshed. However, it remains unclear whether Wild herself or one of her staffers drafted the letters, as is common practice in congressional offices. Her office did not respond to requests for comment.
The conflicting letters have drawn criticism, with the National Republican Congressional Committee accusing Wild of playing political games and lacking moral clarity. The committee’s spokesman, Mike Marinella, argued that voters deserve to know where Wild truly stands on the issue, especially when she claims to be outraged, devastated, and heartbroken.
Rep. Susan Wild’s inconsistent messaging raises questions about her true stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict. While she expressed strong support for Israel in one letter, she criticized Israel’s military response and called for aggressive U.S. action in the other. This contradiction has left constituents confused and questioning her moral clarity. As Wild faces re-election in November, her position on this issue may play a significant role in how voters perceive her. The 7th Congressional District of Pennsylvania, which she represents, includes a sizable Jewish and Arab American population, making her stance on Israel of particular interest to her constituents.
