but amidst all the pro Palestinian advocacy these last several months some Democrats remain staunch in their support of Israel New Jersey Congressman Josh Gottheimer is one of them he posted a letter on X last Thursday noting the 300th day since the October 7th attack on Israel and the 111 hostages who are still in captivity and he raised concerns about the influence of Iran over protests here in the US and in New Jersey he joins me now to discuss those concerns and what he believes America's response should be Congressman so great to have you with us tonight uh you recently wrote that letter uh commemorating the 300th day since the attack what is your call for the United States in its response in its support of Israel right now well as you said it's it's Unthinkable how many days this has gone on especially for the American hostage families I spoke to just over the weekend uh one of them the Alexander family lives in TL New Jersey still no word after nine months uh from there about their loved one from their loved one Adon Alexander so you can't imagine what they're going through and what we've said to uh to the Director of National Intelligence after her comments that Iran has potentially been involved um has been involved and potentially involved deeply in the disinformation in the United States of America in other words spewing false information potentially involved uh on college campuses and other places around the country um so you've got terrorist ties and influence in our country potentially and what I asked for is more details uh I'm on the intelligence Committee in the house so I've asked for Congress to be briefed on these issues where has Iran been involved where have their terrorist proxies been involved in the United States what what money has been has been used to influence uh in our communities and college campuses to support terrorist activity and that's what I'd like to know more about that's an issue that has created some division within your own party there are many progressives uh within the party who want to see the United States uh alter even end its support of Israel do you believe and is there any evidence to prove right now that that Iranian influence has really kind of given momentum to that movement well I listen I think the Iranian influence and the influence of terrorists is something that we to protect the United States of America must follow through on and understand all Americans should understand that you know the the foreign minister of Hezbollah which is a terrorist proxy uh a terrorist wing of Iran said a couple weeks ago that the Real Enemy here is not Israel but is actually the ultimate goal is the United States that's the real enemy that's their Real Enemy right so democracy the West um our values that's what's on the line here and why I think it's critically important that the United unit States understands uh the full involvement of Iran uh in our country in disinformation I don't believe anybody and I would hope that uh there's no one in our country that would want terrorists to be able to uh influence and attack our homeland Congressman I have to ask you what should the Harris message be as she's campaigning right now for president I know when she met with uh Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu just a couple weeks ago she did say to him that she would not uh forget about or would not ignore the suffering of those in Gaza he was critical of her saying that saying that she's indicating to Iran and others uh that there's daylight between the US and Israel was she wrong for those statements what should her message be well I don't think anybody should ever ignore the suffering of any innocent person uh you know and and frankly as you know uh Hamas has uh used innocent Palestinians as human Shields as part of their effort um which is disgusting and appalling um and and we should all uh uh pray for the families of those who' have lost lives and loved ones um but Hamas let's not forget Hamas on October 7th attacked Israel um Iran has attacked Israel uh you know it's was the worst massacre on October 7th since the Holocaust killing and uh babies and ripping babies out of WBS and and seniors and uh and and burning children and babies alive I mean the most Unthinkable acts so Hamas created this attack and this war um and so I I think the vice president said listen let's let's of course always think about those who lost lives but I think she was also very clear in saying that we need to stand with our key Ally Israel which is key to America's national security to our fight against Terror you remember the houthis Hezbollah palestin Islamic Jihad continued to attack the West uh at of the houthis continue to uh fire missiles at uh our ships at our service members Pro Iranian Pro terrorist proxies in uh Iran in Iraq and Afghanistan have attacked our service members so this has been an attack on the United States of America from terrorists as it's been an attack on our key Ally but we must not lose sight of that and I know the vice president when she is elected uh president and when is our commander-in-chief will always do everything to protect the United States of America in our fight against Terror and stand closely by our key allies all right Congressman Josh Gottheimer thank you so much for your your perspective tonight thanks for having me [Music]