Following the disturbing and unwarranted assaults on Israel by the terrorist group Hamas, several Republicans have directed their attention towards President Joe Biden and his recent agreement with Iran.
Over the weekend, Israel faced a barrage of rocket attacks originating from the Gaza Strip, accompanied by Hamas terrorists infiltrating the border, resulting in the abduction and tragic loss of innocent lives, including men, women, and children. The harrowing videos and images from these incidents deeply shocked observers, leading to speculations, although not yet substantiated by concrete evidence, that Iran may have played a role in funding these attacks.
Given Iran’s well-documented history of animosity towards Israel and its track record of supporting terrorist organizations, numerous Republicans have expressed strong criticism of the president’s negotiations with Iran.
“Just weeks ago, the Biden administration handed over $6 billion to Iran, and today, innocent Israelis were murdered by Iran-backed terrorists,” Tennessee Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn said. “We must continue to support our strongest ally in the Middle East and their right to defend themselves against these unprovoked, horrific attacks.”
“Biden just gave Hamas sponsor Iran $6 billion. Today, innocent Israeli citizens have paid with their lives for his and the Obama holdovers’ venal incompetence. America must unflinchingly support Israel’s right of self defense in all its fullness. God bless and save Israel,” North Carolina Rep. Dan Bishop said.
“Iran-controlled Hamas terrorists launched a literal war against Israel last night. Our Israeli allies will now do what they must to defend themselves and I stand with them as they confront this violence and these atrocities. The United States must continue to support Israel’s absolute right to self-defense and ensure it has the military resources and diplomatic support it needs to confront the genocidal Iran-controlled terrorists who seek Israel’s destruction,” Texas Sen. Ted Cruz said.
“This is a clear attack on Israel. We must fully #StandWithIsrael to defend itself & stand strong on the front lines of terrorism,” Texas Rep. Chip Roy said. “We must act quickly to help Israel & reverse the damage of Biden’s $6BB funding of an Iranian regime backing each of the groups likely involved.”
“Iran is the biggest funder of Hamas. This is the Biden $6 billion ransom payment at work,” Republican presidential candidate and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott said.
The administration of Biden, meanwhile, has hit back against the claims that any of the $6 billion was spent on the attacks.
“Not a single cent from these funds has been spent, and when it is spent, it can only be spent on things like food and medicine for the Iranian people,” Adrienne Watson, a National Security Council spokesperson, said.
“These funds have absolutely nothing to do with the horrific attacks today and this is not the time to spread disinformation,” she said.
“Let’s be clear: the deal to bring U.S. citizens home from Iran has nothing to do with the horrific attack on Israel. Not a penny has been spent, and when it is, it can only go for humanitarian needs like food and medicine. Anything to the contrary is false,” State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller said.
But that is not what the Biden administration said weeks ago when CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer spoke with National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby.
“You insist the Iranian regime won’t touch the $6 billion in Iranian funds being unfrozen. But isn’t it true that this frees Iran up to spend more on other, more nefarious goals like supporting terrorism and boosting its nuclear program?” the anchor said.
“Well, to the degree that they continue destabilizing activities — I can’t predict what they’ll do going forward here,” the coordinator said.
“But we already have pressure in place on Iran, both through sanctions and through our military presence in the Gulf Region. We won’t hesitate to take additional actions as we see further destabilizing activities by Iran,” he said.
