Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis condemned Saturday’s terrorist attack in the Gaza Strip that killed at least 40 Israelis.
“The dastardly terrorist attacks perpetrated against innocent Israeli civilians by Iran-backed terror group Hamas deserve a swift and lethal response,” the Republican governor and presidential candidate said on X (formerly Twitter).
“Israel not only has the right to defend itself against these attacks, it has a duty to respond with overwhelming force. I stand with Israel. America must stand with Israel.”
As the Tampa Free Press reported early Saturday, at least 561 people were injured in addition to those killed in the attack.
In the news: Jonathan Turley Says New York AG ‘Hell-Bent’ On Destroying Trump’s Companies
“We are at war,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a televised speech as he declared a mass mobilization of the nation’s army. “Not an ‘operation,’ not a ‘round,’ but at war.”
DeSantis has been a longtime ally of Israel and Jewish groups in Florida, highlighting the strong business and cultural ties between the state and the Middle Eastern nation.
For example, as the Tampa Free Press reported in April, DeSantis met with Netanyahu during a trade mission to Israel. At that time, DeSantis announced that Avenger Flight Group in Fort Lauderdale will build a next-generation flight training center in Israel that EL AL Israel Airlines will utilize to train its 737 and 787 pilots.
DeSantis has also been a popular draw as a speaker to conservative Jewish groups and has criticized left-wing companies, such as Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, for their anti-Israel rhetoric and actions, such as their support for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement that seeks to punish Israel and prop up Palestinians.
During his first term, DeSantis took the Florida Cabinet to Israel for a ceremonial meeting. The purpose of the event was to further cement the relationship between Jerusalem and Tallahassee and to strengthen cultural and economic ties between the two partners.
Under DeSantis, the state has also increased spending to provide security at Jewish schools and for the first time created new standards for the required teaching of the Holocaust in public schools.
Android Users, Click To Download The Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter. Signup for our free newsletter.
We can’t do this without your help; visit our GiveSendGo page and donate any dollar amount; every penny helps