Arizona leaders are responding to the recent violence in Israel. As tensions escalate, the Associated Press reported that Israel’s defense minister has approved the mobilization of 9,000 more reservist troops, and Israel’s military spokesman says forces are massing on the border with the Gaza Strip. Truce efforts by Egypt, Qatar, and the United Nations have shown no sign of progress. President Joe Biden called Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to support Israel’s right to defend itself, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he was sending a senior diplomat to the region. The United States is sending envoy, Hady Amr, deputy assistant secretary for Israel and Palestinian affairs, reported Reuters.
Paul Gosar released a statement, saying, “Israel has an absolute right to defend herself against these unprovoked terrorist attacks. Joe Biden must denounce in the strongest possible terms these attacks by Iranian-backed Hamas. Unfortunately, the Administration’s tepid response clearly signals that the United States does not have Israel’s back and further exposes Mr. Biden’s foreign policy weakness that began when his administration thought it wise to negotiate lifting sanctions and re-entering the failed Obama nuclear deal with Iran. The ferocity in which Hamas is attacking Israel has not been seen for some time. Sadly, our enemies, including Iran, have been emboldened by the lack of leadership coming out of the White House.”
On Twitter, Rep. David Schweikert commented, “It is critical for the United States to support our ally Israel in defending their citizens against the attacks from Hamas. I fully condemn the extremists in the region who are continuing to endanger innocent civilians in Israel.”
It is critical for the United States to support our ally Israel in defending their citizens against the attacks from Hamas. I fully condemn the extremists in the region who are continuing to endanger innocent civilians in Israel.
— Rep. David Schweikert (@RepDavid) May 12, 2021
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Gov. Doug Ducey posted on Twitter, “Arizona stands with Israel.”
Arizona stands with Israel. 🇺🇸🇮🇱
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) May 12, 2021
Raul Grijalva commented on Twitter, “We cannot ignore the ongoing violence in Jerusalem & beyond as the Israeli government uses excessive force on worshippers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque. We need to have serious conversations about U.S. taxpayer dollars funding actions like these.”
We cannot ignore the ongoing violence in Jerusalem & beyond as the Israeli government uses excessive force on worshippers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
— Raul M. Grijalva (@RepRaulGrijalva) May 11, 2021
We need to have serious conversations about U.S. taxpayer dollars funding actions like these. https://t.co/RysdoK73XT
