Republican 2024 field splits over Israel support in war against Hamas

The New York Post ^ | 10/26/2023 | Diana Glebova

[thegagline]

Republican presidential hopefuls don’t see eye-to-eye over how much the US should support Israel in its all-out war against Hamas — with some candidates, like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and biotech mogul Vivek Ramaswamy tacking toward isolationism and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley vowing to give Israel “anything they need.”

In addition to Haley, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, former Vice President Mike Pence, and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie have expressed more hawkish views — including openness to US troop involvement — while former President Donald Trump has largely been ambiguous about his policies. Ramaswamy has been the most vocal against providing any additional aid to Israel.

He has argued for “no money” to the Jewish state for its war against Hamas, telling Axios the US should only provide a “diplomatic Iron Dome” for Israel to protect its national sovereignty.

***

DeSantis, for his part, has said the best way America can support Israel is to stress that it “has the right to defend itself.”

However, DeSantis has also said that the conflict is ultimately “Israel’s war.”

*** In contrast, Haley, with whom the Florida governor has repeatedly sparred over the prospect of admitting Gaza refugees, has been more supportive of providing aid to Israel, opening the door to give the Jewish state “anything they need” with “no questions asked.”

***

Pence, Scott and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson are the only White House contenders to explicitly say they would have had American troops or special forces on the ground in Gaza.

***

Trump has not directly commented on whether he would support more military aid or US troop presence, and his campaign did not immediately respond to an inquiry from The Post Thursday.

[thegagline]

Defending our sovereignty should always come first. That means securing and militarizing our southern border and expelling the illegal invaders.

[Boogieman]

“with some candidates, like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ... tacking toward isolationism”

Is he? After he just today sent weapons directly to Israel, bypassing the federal government which is supposed to handle diplomacy?

Or is he just talking out of both sides of his mouth again, trying in vain to please anyone and everyone? Or maybe he said something yesterday, then stuck his finger in the wind today and decided to change stances.

[gibsonguy]

Nikki Haley vowing to give Israel “anything they need.”

She also said she wants bring the Palis here. Hell no

[Seruzawa]

“In addition to Haley, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, former Vice President Mike Pence, and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie have expressed more hawkish views — including openness to US troop involvement...”

Yes yes. More “hawks” who’ve never risked their own skins for one second. Sorta like the Zeepers.

[Jim W N]

Tempest in a teapot. None of these guys are relevant as to the 2023 Election which is Trump’s if they don’t steal it again.

I was hoping that Ramaswamy could be Trump’s VP but his stance against israel compromises him. (He’s the ONLY guy who talks about actually dismantling the unconstitutional portion of the feds.)

Hope Trump finds the RIGHT VP who will carry this fight for freedom, the Constitution, and dismantling most of the $3+ trillion unconstitutional portion of the feds.

[Freest Republican]

It means energy independence and not enriching a nation where the parliament chants death to America.

[jjotto]

Ashamed of the NYP bald-faced lying.

[TornadoAlley3]

I like Vivek’s response.

[Chgogal]

The only reason my great Governor DeSantis isn't getting any traction is Trump's excellent record on handling the economy and his ability to handle foreign relations.

Can you imagine where America would be without Obama, Biden, Hillary, Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, the Weaponized FBI/CIA and DOJ? We would be safer and richer as would the world

Also, I don't like how silent DeSantis is about the Weaponization of the Federal Government.

[Liz]

Sen Graham is OK with US arms giveaways to foreign countries
but he is “hammering out” tougher gun control laws for Americans.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gun-congrol-red-flag-laws-bipartisan-progress-graham-blumenthal/

================================================

Sen Lindsay Graham led a delegation of US Senators....5 Repubs and 5 Dems.... to Israel. Maryland Democrat Ben Cardin, Rhode Island Democratic Jack Reed, Alaska Republican Dan Sullivan, Richard Blumenthal, Democrat of Connecticut, Susan Collins (Maine Republican), Cory Booker (New Jersey Democrat), Katie Britt (Alabama Republican), Chris Coons, Delaware Senator, John Thune, SDakota Senator.

Israeli Opposition Leader Yair Lapid (center) asked for more US military aid.

[thegagline]

Trump's excellent record on handling the economy

Signing legislation that increased our national debt by 7.8 trillion dollars isn't the hallmark of having an “excellent record on handling the economy.”

[euram]

I wish Haley, Scott, Christie, and others would show half as much concern about the invasion taking place along our southern border, as they do about the borders of Ukraine and Israel.

I also find it amusing how many people here in the US, including many here on FR, don’t believe anything our government and media tell us, or at least are highly skeptical, but lap up everything the Israeli government and media tell us about what is going on over there as if it was being handed down engraved on stone tablets on Mt Sinai. A good rule of thumb is to assume that both sides of any conflict spread as many lies as they can to gin up support for themselves and stoke anger towards the other side.

[Liz]

whitehouse.gov
MARCH 16, 2022
Briefing Room

Fact Sheet of MARCH 16, 2022-——U.S. Security Assistance for Ukraine

President Biden today, MARCH 16, 2022, announced an additional $800 million in security assistance to Ukraine, bringing the total U.S. security assistance committed to Ukraine to $1 billion in just the past week, and a total of $2 billion since the start of the Biden Administration.

The assistance will take the form of direct transfers of equipment from the Department of Defense to the Ukrainian military to help them defend their country against Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion.

The MARCH 16, 2022 new $800 million assistance package includes:

800 Stinger anti-aircraft systems;
2,000 Javelin, 1,000 light anti-armor weapons,
6,000 AT-4 anti-armor systems;
100 Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems;
100 grenade launchers, 5,000 rifles, 1,000 pistols, 400 machine guns, and 400 shotguns;
Over 20 million rounds of small arms ammunition and grenade launcher and mortar rounds;
25,000 sets of body armor; and
25,000 helmets.

In addition to the MARCH 16, 2022 weapons listed above, previous US assistance committed to Ukraine includes:

Over 600 Stinger anti-aircraft systems;
Approximately 2,600 Javelin anti-armor systems;
Five Mi-17 helicopters;
Three patrol boats;
Four counter-artillery and counter-unmanned aerial system tracking radars;
Four counter-mortar radar systems;
200 grenade launchers and ammunition;
200 shotguns and 200 machine guns;
Nearly 40 million rounds of small arms ammunition
Over 1 million grenade, mortar, and artillery rounds;
70 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs) and other vehicles;
Secure communications, electronic warfare detection systems,
Body armor, helmets, and other tactical gear;
Military medical equipment to support treatment and combat evacuation;
Explosive ordnance disposal and de-mining equipment; and
Satellite imagery and analysis capability.

In addition to the U.S.-produced short-range air defense systems the Ukrainians have been using to great effect, the United States has also identified and is helping the Ukrainians acquire additional, longer-range systems on which Ukraine’s forces are already trained, as well as additional munitions for those systems.

The United States continues to expedite the authorization and facilitation of additional assistance to Ukraine from our Allies. At least 30 countries have provided security assistance to Ukraine since the Russian invasion began.

In 2022, the Department of State authorized third-party transfers of defensive equipment from more than 14 countries, a number that continues to grow as Allies and Partners increase support to Ukraine.

###

---

defense.gov
Immediate Release
Oct 26, 2023

Biden Administration Announces Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine

Today, Oct 26, 2023, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced additional security assistance to meet Ukraine’s critical security and defense needs.

This announcement is the Biden Administration’s forty-ninth tranche of equipment to be provided from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021.

This Oct 26, 2023 package includes additional air defense capabilities, artillery ammunition, anti-tank weapons, and other equipment to help Ukraine counter Russia’s ongoing war of aggression and fight for its independence and freedom.

This package utilizes assistance previously authorized for Ukraine during prior fiscal years under Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) that remained after the PDA revaluation process concluded in June. This security assistance package is another visible signal of the United States’ continued commitment to supporting the Ukrainian people in the face of Russian aggression.

The United States remains committed to working with Allies and partners to provide Ukraine with capabilities to meet its immediate battlefield needs, and the Biden Administration calls on Congress to meet its commitment to the people of Ukraine by passing additional funding to ensure Ukraine continues to have what it needs to defend itself against Russia’s brutal war of choice.

Security assistance for Ukraine is a smart investment in our national security. It helps to prevent a larger conflict in the region and deter potential aggression elsewhere, while strengthening our defense industrial base and creating highly skilled jobs for the American people.

The capabilities in this package, valued at up to $150 million, include:

• Additional munitions for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS);
• AIM-9M missiles for air defense;
• Stinger anti-aircraft missiles;
• Additional ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS);
• 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds;
• Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) missiles;
• Javelin anti-armor systems;
• More than 2 million rounds of small arms ammunition;
• Night vision devices;
• Demolitions munitions for obstacle clearing;
• Cold weather gear; and
• Spare parts, maintenance, and other ancillary equipment.

[xenia]

” but lap up everything the Israeli government and media tell us about what is going on over there “
_________________________________

Thinking the same thing.

[Liz]

Biden and the Democrats are OK with arming foreign countries
but grabbing guns from Americans is an obsession w/ them.

---

cnn.com
By Haley Talbot
Tue Sept 12, 2023

Congressional Democrats press Biden to use ‘every
possible tool’ (to grab guns) to combat gun violence

pic—President Joe Biden delivers remarks to service members, first responders, and their families on the 22nd anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on September 11, 2023.
Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

—
More than 60 Senate and House Democrats are pressing President Joe Biden to leverage “the full power of the executive branch” to combat gun violence in a new letter calling for a number of immediate actions to make the process of purchasing firearms safer and hold firearms dealers accountable.

The letter, signed by a wide coalition of congressional Democrats, has the backing of Senate leadership, including Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic whip Dick Durbin. The letter outlines steps the Biden administration could take without congressional approval – underscoring that there is no expectation Congress will pass gun-related legislation anytime soon amid deep partisan divides over the issue.

With more than 400 mass shootings already this year, 2023 is set to be one of the deadliest year for mass shootings in American history.

“With Republicans in Congress refusing to act, the American people are relying on your Administration to ensure that they can move through their daily lives without fear of firearms on the streets, in public establishments, and in their homes,” the lawmakers wrote in the letter sent to Biden Monday.

The lawmakers, led by Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, along with Raphael Warnock of Georgia and Reps. Diana DeGette of Colorado and Abigail Spanberger of Virginia and others, want to see Biden leverage the federal government’s status as a major purchaser of firearms to develop public safety practices for vendors in order to be awarded government contracts.

The proposals put forward would incentivize gun manufacturers to decline to sell military-grade weapons to civilians and only sell to responsible dealers who refuse to proceed with a sale without a completed background check. Some of the most urgent actions proposed by the lawmakers include implementing a code of conduct for manufacturers for procuring taxpayer-funded firearms.

“Codes of conduct could be developed by each agency in consultation with the White House and could contain various public safety practices that firearm vendors must follow in order to be awarded government contracts. … The federal government has the authority to impose conditions on the award of federal contracts under the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act, and your Administration has leveraged that authority on multiple occasions,” the lawmakers wrote.

They also encouraged the administration to direct the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to review the lists of firearms that are imported under the “sporting purposes” exception, pointing out that roughly one fourth of rifles in the US are imported. The exception, according to the letter, has not been reviewed in 20 years for rifles and 10 years for shotguns, and is one of the primary exemptions used for importing firearms.

Additionally, the lawmakers urged the Federal Trade Commission to issue a policy statement establishing that advertisements will be found unfair and/or deceptive when they claim that gun ownership increases the safety of household residents. DeGette, who until last year represented the district where the Columbine massacre took place, urged the FTC to aggressively go after advertisements.

“The FTC has the ability to determine that a practice is unfair and deceptive. And in this situation, when these gun sellers are using fear mongering, and they’re capitalizing on anxious buyers through this messaging that falsely says firearm ownership increases residents’ physical safety that’s unfair and deceptive because it’s not true,” DeGette told CNN.

snip

[Liz]

voanews.com-——snip

The Biden package announced Wednesday marks the 49th time that the U.S. has used the presidential drawdown authority to provide Ukraine’s military with equipment from U.S. stockpiles.

The U.S. has provided about $44 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s unprovoked invasion in February 2022.

The Pentagon still has about $5 billion of congressionally approved funding for Ukrainian military aid, after the Pentagon discovered in June that it had overestimated the value of weapons shipped to Ukraine by about $6 billion.

When calculating its aid package estimates, the Defense Department was counting the cost incurred to replace the weapons given to Ukraine, while it should have been totaling the cost of the systems actually sent, officials told VOA at the time the error was found.

The Pentagon continues to dip into its aid arsenal despite Congress excluding new aid for Ukraine in a stopgap spending bill passed last month to prevent a government shutdown.

Soon after the stopgap spending bill passed, the House ousted House Speaker Kevin McCarthy from his position as speaker.

snip

[EliRoom8]

Is he? After he just today sent weapons directly to Israel, bypassing the federal government which is supposed to handle diplomacy?

Exactly. You really have to wonder how some of these "reporters" ever landed a job.

[MotorCityBuck]

Best economy in your lifetime.
Being a Douchbag should be subtle.
Work on it.
Trump / Putin 2024👍