President Biden condemned the attacks in Israel in a call with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, saying that the U.S. is ready to provide “all appropriate means of support” to the country.
Israel was thrust into chaos early Saturday when the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a series of attacks against the country, leaving dozens dead and hundreds wounded. The attacks prompted Mr. Netanyahu to declare war on the militant group.
“This morning, I spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu about the horrific and ongoing attacks in Israel. The United States unequivocally condemns this appalling assault against Israel by Hamas terrorists from Gaza, and I made clear to Prime Minister Netanyahu that we stand ready to offer all appropriate means of support to the Government and people of Israel,” Mr. Biden said. “Terrorism is never justified. Israel has a right to defend itself and its people. The United States warns against any other party hostile to Israel seeking advantage in this situation. My Administration’s support for Israel’s security is rock solid and unwavering.”
The Biden administration’s messaging on the attack appears to have changed throughout the morning.
National Security Advisor to Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz Omri Ceren shared a now-deleted post on X, formerly Twitter, from the U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs that urged “all sides to refrain from violence and retaliatory attacks.”
“Terror and violence solve nothing,” the deleted post said.
“This is disgraceful and every single person involved in drafting and approving this tweet should be immediately expelled from the U.S. government,” Mr. Cruz said on X.
Many conservatives, including House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana, are going after the president for his hostage swap deal with Iran, a known backer of Hamas. The deal unfroze $6 billion in oil revenue that had been under lock and key by U.S. sanctions.
A stipulation of Mr. Biden’s deal was that the money be used for humanitarian aid, but critics say that the funding has gone to boost the militant group.
At the time of the deal, Mr. Netanyahu said that the money would go toward “terrorist elements sponsored by Iran.”
• Alex Miller can be reached at amiller@washingtontimes.com.
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