Hagel Takes Heat for Comments About Israel

Touchy subject in U.S. politics

Defense secretary nominee Chuck Hagel was caught by surprise during his confirmation hearing Thursday when a Republican senator played tapes from appearances on Al Jazeera—one of which showed him not challenging a caller who accused Israel of war crimes, another in which he appeared to agree with the assertion that America is "the world's bully." 

The interviews were played by Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, hours into Hagel's questioning on Capitol Hill at an already-tense hearing. Cruz then confronted the former Nebraska senator over the tape.