The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has led to increased tensions and strong stances from some Republican politicians.
Calls for action against Hamas have intensified, with influential figures like former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina advocating for immediate and drastic measures.
Republicans Demand Elimination of Hamas
Two South Carolina Republican politicians have been vocal in their calls to “eliminate” and “eradicate” Hamas, emphasizing the need to treat the group as a sick entity deserving severe consequences.
Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, a GOP presidential nominee for 2024, expressed this sentiment during a Fox News interview.
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“This is sick, and we have to treat sick people the way they deserve to be treated and eliminate them,” said Haley on Fox News.
Similarly, Senator Lindsey Graham urged a forceful response, stating that Israel should “do whatever the hell you have to do to defend yourself” and even recommended leveling Iranian oil refineries.
“For every Israeli or American hostage executed by Hamas we should take down an Iranian oil refinery,” Graham said after he was told by America Reports co-host Sandra Smith about threats by Hamas to execute hostages in retaliation for airstrikes. “The only way to keep this war from escalating is holding Iran accountable. How much more death and destruction do we have to take from the Iranian regime? I am confident this was planned and funded by the Iranians.”
Videos posted on social media showed Hamas terrorists taking Israelis captive and also taking the bodies of some of those killed after they launched the attack.
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“Hamas is a bunch of animals who deserve to be treated like animals,” Graham continued. “So, if I was Israel, I would go in the ground, there is no truce to be had here. This is the best opportunity Israel has to destroy Hamas. Take it to the Iranians. If you harm one American in Syria by using your Iranian militia against us in Syria, if you escalate the war by urging Hezbollah to attack Israel in the north. If Hamas kills one American or Israeli hostage we are going to blow up your oil refineries and put you out of business. Take it to the ayatollah’s backyard.”
The Biden administration called for a “proportionate response” from Israel.
While the White House has refrained from specifying the boundaries Israel should not cross, it has emphasized the importance of proportionality.
This disparity in approaches raises questions about the potential impact on U.S.-Israel relations and the larger dynamics of the conflict.
The Biden administration has also faced pressure to balance its support for Israel with concerns for civilian casualties and humanitarian crises in Gaza as well as clawing back the $6 billion transfer to Iran.
According to a news release on Wednesday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Republican Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas will propose a bill to refreeze the $6 billion payment to Iran previously authorized by the Biden administration.
In a deal finalized in September, the Biden administration agreed to give Iran $6 billion in previously blocked assets in return for five American inmates.
Following Hamas’s deadly terrorist attacks against Israel that started on Saturday, McConnell and Cotton will introduce legislation to cancel the transfer.
Following Hamas’s deadly terrorist attacks against Israel that started on Saturday, McConnell and Cotton will introduce legislation to cancel the transfer.
“Iran is the world’s worst state sponsor of terrorism. In addition to funding Hamas’s devastating terrorist attacks against Israel, the regime’s proxies have attacked dozens of American targets in the region in recent years. The Biden administration’s decision to let Iran access the $6 billion immediately freed up other money for the regime to fund its attacks in Israel. The Biden administration should immediately re-freeze the funds,” said Senator Cotton.
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Since Saturday, Hamas has killed nearly 1,200 Israelis and kidnapped hundreds more, some of whom have endured rape or torture. Iran, a nation well known for its anti-Semitic views, has long been a Hamas ally.
The $6 billion transfer will free up unfettered monies Iran already has in its vaults, allowing it to potentially pay for future terror operations, even if the Biden administration claims the money is exclusively meant for “humanitarian purposes.”
“The path of resources, training, and lethal weapons from Tehran to terrorists throughout the Middle East is crystal clear. On Saturday, it enabled cold-blooded killers like Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad to perpetrate the deadliest day of violence against Jews in decades,” said Leader McConnell. “The civilized world must re-impose serious consequences on the regime that aids and abets murderous evil against innocent Israelis. The United States must lead that effort by our example, and freezing Iranian assets is an important first step.”
McConnell and Cotton will seek unanimous support, with nearly two dozen Republican senators signing a letter on Monday requesting that the Biden administration immediately rescind the $6 billion transfer.
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Sens. Tammy Baldwin, Bob Casey, Joe Manchin, Jon Tester, and Jacky Rosen—all Democrats—have all endorsed a refreeze.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that “not a dollar of that money has been spent,” during a press briefing Wednesday.
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