The entry of the United States into a decisive election year coincides with the war against Hamas, an unexpected event that has reshaped the campaigns of presidential candidates, and whose results will continue to accompany them until the decisive moments next November. It is clear that the war against Hamas is in the main messages of the Republican candidates and greatly influences President Joe Biden's main agenda.
"When I return to the White House, the United States will stand with Israel one hundred percent, without hesitation, without reservation and without any apology," leading Republican candidate Donald Trump said in a speech at the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) conference in Las Vegas. He also promised to impose sanctions on Iran and deport pro-Palestinian students who demonstrated violently on US campuses: "Never forget those radicals who tear up posters of Israeli abductees. The United States and Israel represent the pinnacle of Western civilization, and that is exactly what these people want to destroy. Therefore, those who shout 'Death to Israel' also shout 'Death to America,' and we must put an end to this. We're going to keep them out of our country. If I were president, the attack on Israel would never have happened."
President Biden: "The United States stands with you - the people of Israel are alive!" Reuters
Against the backdrop of growing calls in the United States for a ceasefire, Trump has not publicly called on Israel to show restraint or try to limit harm to non-involved civilians. In an interview with Univision, he called the events in Gaza "unbelievable" and suggested that Israel "do a better job of advocacy, because the other side is hitting them on the most important front in the world."
Common interests
Republican candidate Nikki Haley, known for her longstanding support for Israel, spoke out immediately after the terrorist attack and called on Netanyahu to "eliminate" Hamas. "We have three priorities when we look at Israel: support it with everything it needs, not weaken it and do everything we can to bring our hostages home," she said in a media interview after the massacre. In recent days, Haley condemned the current administration's involvement in the war, claiming that "Israel fell to its feet after the worst attack since the Holocaust, and the destruction of Hamas should also be a goal of the United States. Let them finish the job. Biden needs to stop telling Israel what they need and shouldn't do."
Haley, who emphasizes her foreign policy experience as a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, also directly attacks Iran. "There is no Hamas without Iran, after all, this terrorist organization is doing the dirty work in its name. All the talk about a deal with Iran or the delay in reimposing sanctions shows weakness. You have to punch them hard and they'll pull back. Right now they're not afraid of us." In some polls, Haley defeats Biden in a direct contest and enjoys unprecedented support from Jewish and pro-Israel donors in the Republican Party.
She is known for her longstanding support of Israel. Nikki Haley, Photo: Dudi Vaknin
Ron DeSantis, who was initially considered Trump's main rival but continues to lag through polls and televised debates, has worked to help Israel operatively in his capacity as governor of Florida. In October, he announced that Florida would send Israel a shipment of military aid that included drones, weapons and ammunition along with emergency medical aid.
In an unprecedented move, DeSantis also worked to shut down a number of pro-Palestinian student organizations behind the violent protests against Israel, including the National Organization of Students for Justice in Palestine. In one of the recent Republican debates, he called on Netanyahu to "finish the job" and eliminate Hamas.
In the Republican Party, Trump still leads by tens of percentage points against the other contenders, and next month the primaries will begin in Iowa and then New Hampshire. In the NBC News poll, Trump leads with 51% support for Iowa, up 8% from the previous poll. Behind him are DeSantis with 19% and Haley with 16%.
Biden: "I am a Zionist"
President Biden, who is running for a second term on behalf of the Democrats, also continues to express unconditional support for Israel, which translates into unprecedented assistance on several levels. The first is the military, in which the US decided to transfer billions of dollars in military aid that will enable Israel to arm itself, fill its Iron Dome interceptor stockpiles and acquire advanced weapons systems. The US also transferred two aircraft carriers parked in the Middle East to deter other countries from joining the fighting against Israel.
Representatives of the families of the abductees met with President Biden at the White House // Photo: Reuters
A few days ago, the president held the lighting of the traditional menorah at the White House and told the participants that "without Israel's existence, no Jew in the world would feel safe," adding that "you don't have to be a Jew to be a Zionist – and I'm a Zionist." Referring to the war against Hamas, Biden said that military aid to Israel would continue "until Hamas is destroyed" and that he would continue to work non-stop until the last of the abductees returned.
American support is also expressed in the UN Security Council, where the US used its veto to thwart a resolution calling for a ceasefire in the fighting, while at the same time calling on the international community to support Israel's right to self-defense.
Since the beginning of the war, a number of senior American officials, including the president, have visited Israel and worked alongside the War Cabinet on plans for fighting Hamas. President Biden's steadfast stance and continued aid to Israel have not been harmed despite opposition from the "progressive" group in the party and calls for a ceasefire. About 59 percent of Democrats support Biden's approach to the fighting, according to an Associated Press poll.
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