Trump's VP pick Stefanik slams Biden over Israel-Hamas war

A potential vice-presidential pick for the presumptive GOP nominee, Elise Stefanik, delivered a pointed speech at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, on Sunday morning, marking a rare occasion for a U.S. politician to address the body. Stefanik, the fourth highest-ranking Republican in the House, visited Israel following the devastating October 7 attack by Hamas, which sparked the ongoing war in Gaza. In her speech, Stefanik praised former President Trump for his strong support of Israel and sharply criticized the Biden administration’s conflict handling.

Stefanik stated, "Total victory starts, but only starts, with wiping those responsible for October 7 off the face of the Earth. There can be no retrievable dignity for Hamas and its backers."

She lauded Trump's policies and called herself a "leading proponent and partner" to the former president. Stefanik is the highest-ranking House Republican to address the Israeli governing body since the October 7 attacks.

Stefanik's speech focused heavily on President Biden's controversial decisions regarding Israel. She specifically criticized the administration's extension of a waiver in November 2023 that allowed Iran access to $10 billion previously in escrow. This move was widely condemned by Republicans, who saw it as undermining Israel's security.

Stefanik, who has been outspoken about antisemitism on U.S. college campuses, also targeted Biden for pausing the shipment of some bombs to Israel, citing concerns over their use in densely populated areas of Rafah. However, she acknowledged the administration’s early steps toward a new $1 billion arms deal for Israel.

In response to Stefanik's remarks, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates defended President Biden's record, stating, "There has been no better friend to Israel than President Biden." Bates pointed out that, unlike some figures on the right, Biden did not criticize the Israeli government after October 7 and has never praised terrorist organizations like Hezbollah.

Bates also referenced statements from Trump, who had controversially called Hezbollah "very smart" and criticized Israel’s preparedness for the October 7 attacks. Bates emphasized Biden's consistent support for Israel, contrasting it with what he described as Trump’s erratic comments.

The Biden administration’s nuanced stance on the conflict includes concerns about human rights. A recent State Department report to Congress acknowledged that Israeli forces have likely used U.S. weapons in Gaza in ways that contradict international humanitarian law. However, the report stopped short of officially accusing Israel of violating the law.

Human rights groups have accused Israel of war crimes during the Gaza conflict, adding another layer of complexity to U.S. policy decisions. Stefanik's speech, with its sharp criticism of Biden and praise for Trump, underscores the deep political divides in the U.S. regarding support for Israel and the broader Middle East policy.

Source: CNN, FoxNews, ABC News