As Israel faces an unprecedented attack, with Hamas launching 5,000 rockets followed by violent gunmen assaults on Saturday, several 2024 Republican presidential hopefuls have risen to express their unyielding support for Israel. The outpouring of support and commentary aligns with a larger narrative concerning America’s foreign policy stance under the Biden administration.
President Donald Trump, a staunch advocate for Israel during his time in the White House, responded emphatically to the conflict. Taking to Truth Social, he stated, “The Israeli attack was made because we are perceived as being weak and ineffective and with a really weak leader. We brought so much peace to the Middle East through the Abraham Accords, only to see Biden whittle it away at a far more rapid pace than anyone thought possible. Here we go again.” The former president’s words illuminate a belief that the attacks were financed by “American taxpayer dollars,” hinting at the Biden administration’s choice to pay Iran $6 billion in exchange for American prisoners.
Presidential candidates respond to attack on Israel https://t.co/TijqEfY5P3
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) October 8, 2023
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), mirroring Trump’s sentiments, conveyed his support through a video message shared on X, formerly Twitter. DeSantis remarked, “America stands with Israel. Not only do they have a right to defend themselves, they must defend themselves against these Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists.” He stressed that Biden’s policies toward Iran have inadvertently empowered the nation, leading to the present conflict.
As reports flood in regarding the severity of the assault on Israel, with hundreds of Israelis having lost their lives and countless others injured, numerous other GOP contenders have vocalized their concerns and critique of the Biden administration’s foreign policy.
President Trump on the Hamas terrorist attacks: "An act of savagery that must and will be crushed. It has to be dealt with very powerfully." pic.twitter.com/Bq44A82f8T
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) October 7, 2023
Nikki Haley, former United Nations Ambassador, noted the symbolic nature of Hamas’ decision to strike on the Jewish holiday of Shemini Atzeret and the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War. In her words, “Hamas is a bloodthirsty terrorist organization backed by Iran. Israel has every right to defend its citizens from terror. We must always stand with Israel and against this Iranian regime.”
Echoing the sentiments of his counterparts, Vivek Ramaswamy highlighted the brutal nature of the attacks on the X platform, describing them as “barbaric and medieval” while emphasizing Israel’s right to exist and defend itself.
Former Vice President Mike Pence, pinpointing a perceived “weakness” in current U.S. leadership, posted on X, stating, “This is what happens when @POTUS projects weakness on the world stage… Weakness arouses Evil. Time to make sure the terrorists in Hamas and Tehran know… America Stands With Israel.”
In a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape, it’s evident that the 2024 GOP presidential candidates are united in their support for Israel, repeatedly pointing to policy decisions of the Biden administration as factors contributing to the present turmoil. With Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, declaring a state of war and the world watching closely, U.S. leadership and its role in global peace remain subjects of intense debate.
