Republican presidential candidates joined the voices of those on the left and right condemning the unprovoked attack on Israel by Hamas terrorists, which has started a war Prime Minister Benajamin Netanyahu vowed would “return fire of a magnitude the enemy has not known.”
Former President Donald Trump argued "the Israeli attack was made because we are perceived as being weak and ineffective and with a really weak leader.”
"The Hamas terrorist invasion of Israel…and the murder of Israeli soldiers today and the brutal murder of citizens is an act of savagery that must and will be crushed," Trump said in Iowa. "It has to be dealt with very powerfully. This is a time where the United States needs leadership, we don’t have leadership, but Israel is at war and the United States obviously is going to stick with Israel..."
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Israel has a "duty to respond with overwhelming force."
“The dastardly terrorist attacks perpetrated against innocent Israeli civilians by Iran-backed terror group Hamas deserve a swift and lethal response,” he said on X. “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.”
Israel is now under attack by Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists. Iran has helped fund this war against Israel and Joe Biden's policies that have gone easy on Iran have helped fill their coffers.
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) October 7, 2023
We are going to stand with Israel as they root out Hamas and we need to stand up to… pic.twitter.com/FENQtAxiDE
We stand with the state of Israel who is undergoing terrorist attacks by Iranian-backed Hamas.
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) October 7, 2023
Israel not only has the right to defend themselves against Hamas, they have the responsibility to defend themselves with overwhelming force.
We will stand by them when they do. pic.twitter.com/R6Gb7Wz0Nw
The dastardly terrorist attacks perpetrated against innocent Israeli civilians by Iran-backed terror group Hamas deserve a swift and lethal response.
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) October 7, 2023
Israel not only has the right to defend itself against these attacks, it has a duty to respond with overwhelming force.
I…
Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy said he is “appalled by the barbaric and medieval Hamas attacks.”
I am appalled by the barbaric and medieval Hamas attacks. Shooting civilians and kidnapping children are war crimes. Israel’s right to exist & defend itself should never be doubted and Iran-backed Hamas & Hezbollah cannot be allowed to prevail. I stand with Israel and the U.S.…
— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) October 7, 2023
Former Gov. Nikki Haley stood up for Israel's right to defend itself from terror.
Hamas has declared war on Israel on the Jewish holiday of Shemini Atzeret and the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War.
— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) October 7, 2023
Make no mistake: Hamas is a bloodthirsty terrorist organization backed by Iran and determined to kill as many innocent lives as possible.
The reports out…
Former Vice President Mike Pence took aim at Democrats and Republicans alike in his response.
“This is what happens when you have a president like Joe Biden who spends the last two and a half years projecting weakness on the world stage," he said. "I also believe this is what happens when you have leaders in the Republican Party that are signaling retreat on the world stage."
Every American should condemn the unprovoked and massive attack on Israel by terrorists in Hamas. Our prayers are with the families and soldiers of our most cherished ally. @netanyahu says Israel is “at war” America Stands With Israel🇺🇸🇮🇱 https://t.co/D1M8y5EjCe
— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) October 7, 2023
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie blamed "Biden's appeasement of Israel's enemies," which he said "has invited this war against Israel."
“Appeasement anywhere never works. We must do whatever it takes to support the State of Israel in its time of grave danger, and we must end the scourge of Iran-backed terrorism. This terrorism is funded by Biden’s idiotic release of $6 billion to the Iranians.
“The Hamas war against Israel is now the second war started under Biden’s failed presidency, first by Russia in Ukraine and now by Hamas in Israel. Both could have been deterred by strong American leadership. Under my presidency, America will restore the deterrence Biden has foolishly given away,” Christie added.
Biden’s appeasement of Israel’s enemies has invited this war against Israel. Appeasement anywhere never works. We must do whatever it takes to support the State of Israel in its time of grave danger, and we must end the scourge of Iran-backed terrorism. This terrorism is funded…
— Chris Christie (@GovChristie) October 7, 2023
South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott said he was "horrified" by the attack.
I’m horrified by Iranian-backed Hamas’ unprecedented attack against Israel. This blatant disregard for innocent life must be unequivocally condemned. Israel has a right to defend itself and the United States must stand in support of its steadfast ally.
— Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott) October 7, 2023
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum called on the U.S. to "provide maximum support" for Israel.
Iran and its terror sponsors in Gaza are showing the world their true face: pure evil. Israel is at war with brutal terrorists and the United States must provide maximum support to our democratic ally. Our prayers go up for the all the victims of these horrific attacks. We also…
— Doug Burgum (Text "DOUG" to 70177) (@DougBurgum) October 7, 2023
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