According to Bates, the late President Richard Nixon holds the distinction of being the first American president to visit Israel during a time of war. This visit occurred in the aftermath of the devastating October 7th terrorist attacks. Additionally, President Nixon made history by being the first president to give the order for the U.S. military to defend Israel from an attack by a foreign nation.
President Biden did not criticize the Israeli government or express support for terrorist organizations like Hezbollah, unlike certain individuals on the right. It is not appropriate for anyone who remained silent when offensive statements were made to lecture him on these matters.
Bates emphasized that it is important not to mix up the individuals who attacked police officers on January 6th with the innocent hostages held by Hamas on October 7th. This statement was made in response to Stefanik’s use of the term “hostages” to describe the Jan. 6 rioters who were convicted on related charges.
Trump was the first person to use the term “hostages” when referring to the convicted rioters. This term is commonly associated with the tragic event in which around 250 individuals were taken hostage during Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Stefanik, the highest-ranking House member to visit Israel since Hamas’s attack in October, criticized Biden for temporarily halting weapons shipments to Israel due to concerns about the planned operation in Gaza.
The decision to pause the transfer of around 3,500 heavy bombs to Israel during the escalation of the conflict in Gaza drew criticism towards the Biden administration. This move came as the Israel Defense Forces were preparing to advance their operation in the southern and central regions of Gaza. However, the White House has since clarified its stance, stating that it intends to proceed with the transfer of $1 billion worth of weapons to Israel.
In her address on Sunday, Stefanik emphasized her stance on the importance of providing aid to Israel and maintaining strong sanctions on Iran. She firmly stated that there should be no excuse for an American president to block the aid that has been approved by Congress. She also criticized the decision to ease sanctions on Iran, describing it as paying a $6 billion ransom to the world’s leading state sponsor of terror. Additionally, Stefanik expressed her disapproval of the president’s inaction and reluctance to support our allies in their fight for survival.
“There’s no excuse. Period,” she emphasized. “That’s why I have supported, or endorsed, every initiative in the U.S. Congress aimed at assisting Israel. Each and every one.”