Trump, Pence voice support for Israel amid Gaza rocket attacks

While many American politicians were vocal in their support of Israel’s right to defend itself, several others accused Israel for the actions in Gaza.

WASHINGTON – President Trump addressed Sunday the continuing rocket attacks by Hamas and Islamic Jihad against Israel, and tweeted words of support for the Jewish state.

“Once again, Israel faces a barrage of deadly rocket attacks by terrorist groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad,” the president tweeted. “We support Israel 100% in its defense of its citizen.”

Once again, Israel faces a barrage of deadly rocket attacks by terrorist groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad. We support Israel 100% in its defense of its citizens….

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 6, 2019
He also sent a direct message to the residents of Gaza: “These terrorist acts against Israel will bring you nothing but more misery. End the violence and work towards peace – it can happen!”

Vice President Mike Pence joined the president in voicing support for Israel. He tweeted, “We strongly condemn the attacks in Gaza by Hamas terrorists. Israel has the absolute right to defend itself, and the US stands by our great ally Israel.”

We strongly condemn the attacks in Gaza by Hamas terrorists. Israel has the absolute right to defend itself & the U.S. stands by our great ally Israel.

— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) May 5, 2019
Others in the White House and all the Hill also weighed in on the situation in Israel.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said that, “Israel has every right to defend itself against the 600 rockets that Hamas has fired during the last 48 hours,” and that the US would continue to stand by its ally.

Israel has every right to defend itself against the 600 rockets that Hamas has fired during the last 48 hours. The United States will continue to stand with our ally Israel and the Jewish people.

— Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) May 6, 2019
Similarly, Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Relations Committee, condemned the attacks and noted that Hamas and Islamic Jihad were demonstrating to the world that they “remain committed to Israel’s destruction and the murder of Jews,” he tweeted.

Hamas & Islamic Jihad, recognized terror organizations, are showing the world they remain committed to #Israel’s destruction & the murder of Jews.

Israel—and its adversaries—must always know that it will not stand alone. America will always stand shoulder-to-shoulder w/ Israel. https://t.co/BXFOvjGZcb

— Senator Bob Menendez (@SenatorMenendez) May 5, 2019
Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, was among the first congressmen to address the rocket attack when tweeted Saturday: “Over 250 rockets fired at Israel again by terrorists from Gaza. This must stop now. Israel, like any country, has a right to defend itself against terror attacks.”

Over 250 rockets fired at Israel again by terrorists from Gaza.

This must stop now. Israel, like any country, has a right to defend itself against terror attacks.

— Rep. Ted Deutch (@RepTedDeutch) May 4, 2019
Rep. Rashida Tlaib, however, decided to criticize the Jewish state. She shared a photo of a New York Times Article with a headline that states: “Gaza Militants Fire 250 Rockets and Israel Responds With Airstrikes,” and tweeted: “When will the world stop dehumanizing our Palestinian people who just want to be free?

When will the world stop dehumanizing our Palestinian people who just want to be free? Headlines like this & framing it in this way just feeds into the continued lack of responsibility on Israel who unjustly oppress & target Palestinian children and families. #FreePalestine https://t.co/p3X3j8WtwM

— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) May 5, 2019
“Headlines like this and framing it in this way just feeds into the continued lack of responsibility on Israel who unjustly oppress and target Palestinian children and families,” the Michigan congresswoman added, and signed her tweet with the hashtag “#FreePalestine.”

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minnesota) said the status quo “of occupation and humanitarian crisis in Gaza is unsustainable.”

“How many more protesters must be shot, rockets must be fired, and little kids must be killed until the endless cycle of violence ends?” The freshman congresswoman tweeted. “Only real justice can bring about security and lasting peace.”