2024 Republicans voice support for Israel in predebate video

By Naomi Lim, White House Reporter, Washington Examiner
Wednesday, November 8, 2023

EXCLUSIVE — MIAMI — Republican presidential candidates, with the exception of former President Donald Trump, are presenting a united front with Israel and each other before the third primary debate.

The five qualifying candidates — Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) — in addition to Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND) appear in a video released Wednesday by the Republican Jewish Coalition, a partner of the Republican National Committee’s debate in Miami, a first for either party.

“The GOP’s commitment to elevating Jewish voices at this perilous time is a testament to the Republican Party’s unwavering support of the Jewish community and the state of Israel,” RJC CEO Matt Brooks told the Washington Examiner, with RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel adding in a statement that the RJC's work is "more vital and important than ever."

In the video, Scott reflects on Hamas's Oct. 7 terrorist attacks and the escalation of Israeli-Palestinian tensions in its aftermath as Israel Defense Forces conduct ground operations in Gaza.

"We see the atrocities in Israel," he says. "We see attacks on our own streets. We see the Republican Jewish Coalition taking a strong stance, and we should stand with them."

DeSantis criticizes the Democratic Party for turning “its back on Israel” as far-left Rep. Rashida Thalib (D-MI), Congress’s first Palestinian lawmaker, receives scrutiny for reiterating “from the river to the sea,” an anti-Israel phrase.

“They are home to some of the most rabid antisemites in politics,” he says. “If you care about the safety and security of Israel, the only choice is to vote Republican.”

Christie similarly slams Democrats for being “divided” over Israel, claiming they have “abandoned this cause.”

Meanwhile, Ramaswamy contends, "The people who share the founding values of the United States of America and believe in the founding values of Israel, as the Jewish state, absolutely should be voting Republican."

Haley underscores the importance of knowing “the difference between good and evil,” predicting, “The RJC is going to be a big part of that.”

“If you love freedom-loving countries, if you believe in democracy, if you believe in pro-American values, if you believe in the difference between right and wrong, you should be standing with Israel,” she says.

The video will air on the RNC’s Rumble stream before the debate. RJC's annual leadership summit doubled as a candidate forum last month in Las Vegas.

This article appeared on The Washington Examiner web site on November 8, 2023.