Representative Elise Stefanik of New York, the highest-ranking Republican woman in the House, denounced President Biden and praised former President Trump over US military support for Israel in a speech to Congress on Sunday.
“There is no reason for an American president to withhold aid to Israel — aid duly passed by Congress, or to ease sanctions on Iran, pay or hide a $6 billion ransom to the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism. While our friends are fighting for their lives,” New York Congresswoman and House said the GOP convention chairman.
Earlier this month, Mr. Biden said. America will not deliver Israel He acknowledged that Israel used powerful US-made weapons to arm the Rafah attack. Terror attacks in Gaza. He suggested that the United States would further reduce arms exports if Israel expanded its ground offensive to include civilian centers in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
However, Mr. Biden said, and the White House has said the U.S. will ensure Israel receives the full amount of the recently signed additional funding package, which includes about $14 million. billion for Israel’s defense. Last week, the Biden administration told Congress it wanted to transfer $1 billion in weapons to Israel.
Recalling George Washington’s letter to Jews in Newport, Rhode Island, Stefanik said Americans are “firmly behind Israel and the Jewish people.”
Stefanik noted, “For years, I have been a leading supporter and partner of President Trump in his historic support for Israeli freedom and security.” He is a close ally of Trump and one of the first to endorse his 2024 presidential bid. Trump sees her as one, sources told CBS News A potential running mate.
In Congressional hearings Late last year, Stefanik urged the presidents of Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Pennsylvania to address anti-Semitism on their campuses. Soon after, two presidents resigned.
“We must not allow extremism in ‘elite’ corners to overshadow the deep, abiding love for Israel among the American people. Most Americans feel a strong connection to your people,” Stefanik told Knesset members.
Nicole Killion contributed to this report.
