A group of Republican governors have sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging his administration to “project American strength” by fully supporting Israel’s “unquestioned right to respond and defend Itself” following Hamas’ terrorist attack on the county last weekend.
“We write today to make clear that our states absolutely condemn these heinous acts of terrorism led by Iran-backed Hamas and proudly stand with Israel and the Jewish people,” the group of 19 governors wrote. “Your administration’s initial response—including a call for a ceasefire—created dangerous confusion that has only further emboldened state-sponsors of terror and their henchmen to continue attacking Israel. Unfortunately, this type of international chaos and violence is a direct result of your administration’s appeasement-first foreign policy. Now is the moment to radically change course.”
“When the lives of American citizens hang in the balance, the American President must speak boldly and act decisively,” the governors added.
The group of governors further called on the Biden Administration to “prioritize the protection of Americans who remain in harm’s way.”
“To date, we have learned that Hamas terrorists murdered 27 American citizens and have taken an unknown number of Americans hostage. We pray for the families of those killed and missing. And we understand there is a process underway to locate American citizens taken hostage or otherwise missing and to bring them home swiftly and safely,” the governors wrote. “But the lack of transparency in this process leads us to question whether your administration is pursuing this objective with maximum energy and diligence. Your administration should not rest until these Americans safely return to American soil.”
The number of Americans confirmed dead has since risen to 29.
The governors also urged the Biden Administration to not only fully support Israel’s right to defend itself, but its “duty to respond with overwhelming force against Hamas to ensure this never happens again.”
“Israel can, and should, take all actions necessary to eliminate all threats—terrorist or otherwise —to its sovereignty and its people,” the governors declared.
The group of governors went on by calling the Biden Administration to end its “appeasement and empowerment of Iran” by freezing the $6 billion ransom payment made to the country last month, expanding sanctions against the Iranian regime, as well as cutting off foreign aid to Hamas- or Hezbollah-controlled territories.
“If we’re serious about not negotiating with terrorists, we must also stop allowing U.S. tax dollars to fall into their hands,” the group added.
Finally, the governors again called on the Biden Administration to “close the Southern Border and protect Americans from similar threats at home.”
“As we’ve stated before, the surge in illegal crossings has instigated an international humanitarian crisis, spurred a spike in international criminal activity, and exposed our states to criminal actors during this period of heightened security threats who threaten the public health and safety of US citizens,” the governors wrote.
The letter, dated Friday, October 13, was led by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and signed by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, Idaho Governor Brad Little, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, and Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
