In the aftermath of a brutal attack against Israel perpetrated by Palestinian terrorists linked to the Hamas terror group, some far-left U.S. lawmakers have attracted fierce criticism for apparently sympathizing with Palestine.
Specifically, members of the so-called “Squad” in the House of Representatives offered controversial takes on the attack.
For their parts, Reps. Cori Bush (D-MO) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) argued for the end of U.S. aid to Israel, with the latter claiming that American assistance will only perpetuate a “heartbreaking cycle of violence.”
Fellow Squad member Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), fresh off of a widely condemned stunt that involved triggering a Capitol Hill fire alarm ahead of an important vote, weighed in on the Israel-Hamas conflict by insisting that the U.S. “should be prepared to welcome refugees from Palestine while being very careful to vet and not allow members of Hamas.”
A number of high-profile Republicans sounded off on Bowman’s remarks, including Florida Gov. and 2024 Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis.
We should not import people from Gaza to our country.
Neighboring Arab nations should open their borders and absorb them. pic.twitter.com/y11MGQfWoK
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) October 14, 2023
During a campaign event in Iowa over the weekend, he acknowledged that not all Palestinians have direct ties to Hamas, “but they are all antisemitic” and “none of them believe in Israel’s right to exist.”
In light of the fact that none of the surrounding nations are willing to accept refugees from Palestine, DeSantis concluded: “You don’t fly people and import them into the United States of America. So we’re going to be very strong on that.”
He was not alone in denouncing the call to accept Palestinian refugees.
“Iran should take responsibility for any Palestinian refugees caused by its proxy … war with Israel,” said Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AK). “Iran is responsible for the death and destruction. It should be responsible for refugees as well.”
Florida’s U.S. senators, both of whom are Republicans, also expressed their opposition. Sen. Marco Rubio argued that “we are in no position to accept additional refugees, especially from a region with as high a risk of terrorism, given our nation’s inability to secure our own border or vet those who are already here.”
As for Sen. Rick Scott, he said the “entire focus of the United States right now should be on rescuing American hostages and making sure that Israel has every resource needed to defeat Iran-backed Hamas and defend its homeland.
