Republican congressman from Florida, Randy Fine, sparked condemnation after declaring during a congressional hearing in Washington, DC, that peace with Palestinians is impossible and that “the solution is to destroy them first,” comments critics say echo genocidal language amid Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza. The remarks came on December 10, 2025, as Fine questioned a pro-Israel witness and said he was “not afraid” of being called Islamophobic, prompting outrage from civil rights advocates and Palestinian rights groups.
Lawmaker’s Remarks in Congress
During the hearing, Fine pressed Morton Klein, president of the Zionist Organization of America, on whether peace could be reached with Palestinians whom he framed as seeking Israel’s destruction. Fine concluded by asserting that, rather than negotiating, “the solution is to eliminate them first,” language that legal experts and rights advocates say resembles calls for the destruction of a national group.
Klein, who has previously advocated aggressive policies toward Muslims and Palestinians, responded by arguing that Islam needed a “reformation” to accept Israel as a Jewish state, while also dismissing concerns about Islamophobia. Fine followed by stating he had no fear of being labeled Islamophobic, reinforcing a record of openly hostile rhetoric toward Palestinians and Muslims in his public statements and online posts.
Lawmaker’s Remarks in Congress
During the hearing, Fine pressed Morton Klein, president of the Zionist Organization of America, on whether peace could be reached with Palestinians whom he framed as seeking Israel’s destruction. Fine concluded by asserting that, rather than negotiating, “the solution is to eliminate them first,” language that legal experts and rights advocates say resembles calls for the destruction of a national group.
Klein, who has previously advocated aggressive policies toward Muslims and Palestinians, responded by arguing that Islam needed a “reformation” to accept Israel as a Jewish state, while also dismissing concerns about Islamophobia. Fine followed by stating he had no fear of being labeled Islamophobic, reinforcing a record of openly hostile rhetoric toward Palestinians and Muslims in his public statements and online posts.
Lawmaker’s Remarks in Congress
During the hearing, Fine pressed Morton Klein, president of the Zionist Organization of America, on whether peace could be reached with Palestinians whom he framed as seeking Israel’s destruction. Fine concluded by asserting that, rather than negotiating, “the solution is to eliminate them first,” language that legal experts and rights advocates say resembles calls for the destruction of a national group.
Klein, who has previously advocated aggressive policies toward Muslims and Palestinians, responded by arguing that Islam needed a “reformation” to accept Israel as a Jewish state, while also dismissing concerns about Islamophobia. Fine followed by stating he had no fear of being labeled Islamophobic, reinforcing a record of openly hostile rhetoric toward Palestinians and Muslims in his public statements and online posts.
Lawmaker’s Remarks in Congress
During the hearing, Fine pressed Morton Klein, president of the Zionist Organization of America, on whether peace could be reached with Palestinians whom he framed as seeking Israel’s destruction. Fine concluded by asserting that, rather than negotiating, “the solution is to eliminate them first,” language that legal experts and rights advocates say resembles calls for the destruction of a national group.
Klein, who has previously advocated aggressive policies toward Muslims and Palestinians, responded by arguing that Islam needed a “reformation” to accept Israel as a Jewish state, while also dismissing concerns about Islamophobia. Fine followed by stating he had no fear of being labeled Islamophobic, reinforcing a record of openly hostile rhetoric toward Palestinians and Muslims in his public statements and online posts.
“I don’t see how peace can be made with people who want to destroy you. I think the answer is you destroy them first,” Fine said, according to Al Jazeera, which first reported the exchange.
Reactions from Rights Groups and Advocates
Abed Ayoub, executive director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, told Al Jazeera that Fine’s comments reflected “extreme, genocidal rhetoric” and accused him of acting as “a spokesperson for foreign interests” rather than for his own constituents. Ayoub argued that such language would be widely condemned if directed at other groups, warning that it risks normalizing calls for mass violence in US political discourse.
Hatem Abudayyeh, national chair of the US Palestinian Community Network, said Fine’s comments exemplified a broader trend of dehumanizing Palestinians in US politics, particularly since the Gaza war escalated. He criticized Republican leaders and President Donald Trump for failing to publicly denounce the remarks, saying elected officials should not be permitted to use what he described as racist and genocidal speech without consequences.
Pattern of Inflammatory Statements
Fine, a self-described “Hebrew Hammer” and staunch supporter of Israel, has a documented history of inflammatory comments about Palestinians and Muslims. Earlier this year, he reacted on social media to the image of a dead Palestinian child with a mocking response and has publicly suggested that Palestinians in Gaza could “starve away” amid a blockade that has severely restricted food and aid.
Media investigations and advocacy groups have also highlighted past statements in which Fine suggested striking Gaza with massive conventional bombs, denied the existence of “innocent” Palestinian civilians, and described Palestinians as “demons” who “deserve death.” According to reporting by TRT World and other outlets, he has simultaneously championed legislation aimed at punishing countries that recognize Palestinian statehood and restricting the display of Palestinian symbols in US public institutions.
“This culture is the embodiment of evil. Destroy it all,” Fine previously wrote about Palestinians, according to TRT Global’s reporting on his record.
War in Gaza and Genocide Concerns
Fine’s latest remarks come as Israel’s offensive in Gaza has killed nearly 70,400 Palestinians and devastated much of the territory, according to figures cited by Al Jazeera from the United Nations and health authorities. UN investigators and multiple human rights organizations have warned that Israel’s campaign, including large-scale bombing and siege tactics, could constitute acts of genocide under international law.
The UN Genocide Convention defines genocide as acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group, including killing, causing serious harm, or deliberately inflicting conditions of life calculated to bring about a group’s physical destruction. Legal scholars and advocacy groups say explicit calls by public officials to “destroy” or “eliminate” Palestinians add to concerns about incitement and state obligations to prevent genocide.
Political Context and Future Fallout
Fine was elected to Congress in April 2025 from Florida’s 6th district after serving as a hardline state legislator known for conservative social policies and aggressive pro-Israel positions. He won support from pro-Israel lobbying groups and Republican allies by promoting legislation against entities that recognize Palestinian statehood and backing measures targeting pro-Palestinian activism.
As of Thursday, there has been no formal censure passed by Congress in response to Fine’s latest comments, though pressure from civil rights groups for disciplinary action is growing. The controversy is likely to intensify debates over hate speech, US support for Israel’s military actions, and the responsibility of elected officials to avoid language that appears to endorse the destruction of an entire people.