Republican Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana emphasized the need for unwavering support for Israel in the face of Iran’s recent missile attack, highlighting the ongoing threat posed by Tehran to the stability of the Middle East.
“We must stand firmly with Israel. It’s crystal clear. We’re not merely facing off against Hamas, Hezbollah, or Yemen; they’re all proxies for Iran. Iran is the mastermind behind these actions. Israel is engaged in a battle with Iran.
Iran harbors hatred towards Americans and Jews, seeking their destruction. If we turn a blind eye to their aggression, we’ll pay the price,” Kennedy asserted during an appearance on “Fox News Sunday.”
Sen. John Kennedy (Credits: NBC News)
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) unleashed a barrage of missiles and drones toward Israel over the weekend in retaliation for an alleged Israeli strike that resulted in the deaths of two IRGC officers near the Iranian embassy in Damascus earlier in the month.
Despite the scale of the attack, the majority of the missiles and drones were successfully intercepted by Israel’s air defense systems, bolstered by support from allied forces.
In response to the escalation, President Biden curtailed his trip to Delaware and returned to the White House on Saturday to confer with his national security team. Following a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden condemned the assault “in the strongest possible terms,” praising Israel’s resilience in the face of unprecedented threats.
The attack was revealed against the backdrop of a protracted conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza, now entering its sixth month. The toll on civilians has been immense, with over 33,000 Palestinians perishing since the conflict erupted in early October, according to the Health Ministry.
GOP Senator (Credits: Business Insider)
Criticism has emerged regarding Biden’s evolving stance on Israel’s actions in Gaza, with some, including Senator Kennedy, accusing the president of wavering in his support for Israel.
Reports have surfaced suggesting that Biden conveyed to Netanyahu that the U.S. would not endorse an Israeli retaliation against Iran, a move Kennedy denounced as weak.
“Increasing the flock won’t solve the wolf problem. My advice to the president is straightforward: Mr. President, stand by Israel. Summon the courage to do what’s right. Seeking peace through weakness is a futile endeavor, especially in the face of these hardened adversaries,” Kennedy emphasized.
