On Thursday, the former secretary of state joined Morning Joe where she shared her views on the nationwide student protests over U.S. support for Israel amid the war in Gaza. She noted that young people are ignorant of Middle Eastern history but also “many areas of the world, including in our own country.”

“I have had many conversations, as you have had, with a lot of young people over the last many months now,” Clinton said. “They don’t know very much at all about the history of the Middle East, or frankly about history, in many areas of the world, including in our own country.”

Clinton then went on to claim that if Yasser Arafat, the former leader of the Palestinian Authority, had accepted a deal presented by former President Bill Clinton then Palestinians would have an independent state. She added, “It’s one of the great tragedies of history that he was unable to say yes.”

Her comments drew criticism from the left who accused Clinton of having “overwhelming contempt” for “anyone who isn’t her.”