Republican governors come together in a show of support for Israel as it grapples with the recent terrorist attacks carried out by Palestinian Islamic group Hamas. Nineteen Republican governors have sent a letter to President Joe Biden to demand action in response to the attacks that erupted one week ago and have claimed the lives of over 1,300 Israelis and more than two dozen Americans. The governors called on the president to prioritize the protection of Americans still in harm's way, provide unequivocal support to Israel, cease the appeasement and empowerment of Iran, and close the US southern border to protect Americans from dangerous individuals entering the country.
In the letter, the Republican governors expressed their condemnation of the attacks and stood on the side of Israel in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. They also criticized Biden's initial response, including his call for a ceasefire, which they say has only emboldened state sponsors of terror and their henchmen to continue attacking Israel. The governors believe that this is a direct result of the administration's appeasement-first foreign policy. They are now calling on Biden to change course and project American strength in this volatile moment.
In their demand for the protection of Americans still in harm's way, the governors pointed out that Hamas terrorists have already murdered 27 American citizens and taken an unknown number of Americans hostage. The lack of transparency in the administration's process of trying to secure the return of these citizens has raised concerns over the president's commitment to their safety. The governors are urging Biden to do everything possible to bring these Americans back to American soil and to keep the states informed of any ongoing losses of American life.
The governors also called for the US to provide unequivocal support to Israel as it defends itself against the terrorist group Hamas and to ensure that Israel has the latitude to do what it must. They also want Biden to take a tougher stance against Iran, the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism. They are calling for an immediate freeze of the $6 billion ransom payment made to the state by the administration and an expansion of sanctions against the Iranian regime. The governors further insist that foreign aid to Hamas- or Hezbollah-controlled territories be cut off to stop US tax dollars from falling into the hands of terrorists.
Finally, the governors are asking for the southern border to be closed to protect Americans from dangerous individuals trying to enter the country. With the recent surge in illegal border crossings and the possibility of terrorists exploiting the situation, the governors believe the border must be secured to keep Americans safe.
The 18 Republican governors who signed the letter include Kay Ivey of Alabama, Mike Dunleavy of Alaska, Sarah Sanders of Arkansas, Ron DeSantis of Florida, Brian Kemp of Georgia, Brad Little of Idaho, Eric Holcomb of Indiana, Kim Reynolds of Iowa, Tate Reeves of Mississippi, Joe Lombardo of Nevada, Chris Sununu of New Hampshire, Doug Burgum of North Dakota, Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma, Henry McMaster of South Carolina, Kristi Noem of South Dakota, Bill Lee of Tennessee, Greg Abbott of Texas, Glenn Youngkin of Virginia, and Mark Gordon of Wyoming. The governors are urging the president to take action and show strong support for Israel in this critical moment.
