WCBS claims Clinton is “hammering” Israel; offers no evidence

Drudge is promoting a WCBS report that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is “hammering Israel” -- but the report provides no evidence that Clinton is actually doing so.

WCBS:

In a swift about face from her views as New York's senator, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is now hammering Israel over its treatment of Palestinians in Gaza.

No example of “hammering” is given. No quote, no paraphrase, nothing.

WCBS:

On Thursday, as Secretary of State she had yet another about face in the form of angry messages demanding Israel speed up aid to Gaza. Jewish leaders are furious.

Again: no example, no quote, nothing to support either the accusation that Clinton “had yet another about face” or that she delivered “angry messages.”

WCBS:

Clinton's decision to hammer Israel comes as the Clintons and President Barack Obama are planning to give the Palestinians $900 million toward the rebuilding of Gaza in the wake of the Israeli offensive that was sparked by Hamas rocket fire.

But still no evidence that Clinton has decided to “hammer Israel.”

WCBS:

For some, Clinton's change of position is upsetting.

That's the third reference to Clinton changing her position -- but absolutely no details are given about what the supposed change is.

The entire report, ostensibly about Clinton “hammering Israel” in a “swift about face” includes only the following quotes from Clinton:

“I'm a very strong supporter of Israel.” [This is from 2000]

“We are working across the government to see what our approach will be.”

That's it. That's the entire basis for an inflammatory report claiming Clinton is changing her position and attacking Israel.

UPDATE: While we don't know what WCBS is referring to when it claims Clinton is “hammering” Israel -- and we suspect WCBS doesn't, either -- we do know what she said on February 3:

We are looking to work with all of the parties to try to help them make progress toward a negotiated agreement that would end the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, create an independent and viable Palestinian state in both the West Bank and Gaza, and provide Israel with the peace and security that it has sought.

...

[W]e have a very clear policy toward Hamas, and Hamas knows the conditions that have been set forth. They must renounce violence. They must recognize Israel. And they must agree to abide by prior agreements that were entered into by the Palestinian Authority.