A host of Republicans have shown support for Israel after Iran launched a drone and missile attack on the Middle East county on Saturday. Among the voices of support are those of House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner (R-OH), Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL).
In a post to X, Johnson called for support on behalf of Israel.
“As Israel faces this vicious attack from Iran, America must show our full resolve to stand with our critical ally. The world must be assured: Israel is not alone,” he wrote.
“I will continue to engage with the White House to insist upon a proper response. The Biden Administration’s undermining of Israel and appeasement of Iran have contributed to these terrible developments,” he added.
As Israel faces this vicious attack from Iran, America must show our full resolve to stand with our critical ally. The world must be assured: Israel is not alone.
I will continue to engage with the White House to insist upon a proper response. The Biden Administration’s…
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) April 13, 2024
Gaetz, in his post, called for the universal condemnation of the attack, saying, “Iran’s attack on Israel today is escalatory and should be universally condemned. No nation in the Middle East should be desirous of a broadening regional war. A lasting peace will be unattainable if Iran and its proxies continue to launch attacks against those who desire peace.”
Abbott also made a post criticizing President Joe Biden’s “weak” and “inffectual leadership” which is said to have indirectly facilitated Iran’s attack.
“Iran was emboldened to attack because Pres. Biden refused to stand up for our ally Israel. Texas stands with Israel and its people. Always. Our prayers are with Israel and our Jewish friends around the world,” he wrote.
Pres. Biden’s weak, ineffectual leadership led to this moment.
Iran was emboldened to attack because Pres. Biden refused to stand up for our ally Israel.
Texas stands with Israel and its people. Always.
Our prayers are with Israel and our Jewish friends around the world.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) April 13, 2024
Greene also blamed Biden for Iran’s move, noting the president’s decision in November to grant Iraq a 4-month sanctions waiver, giving Iran, the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism, access to $10 billion.
“Biden gave Iran access to $10 BILLION after Hamas attacked Israel. Now Iran has launched an attack on Israel,” she tweeted.
Biden gave Iran access to $10 BILLION after Hamas attacked Israel.
Now Iran has launched an attack on Israel.
— Marjorie Taylor Greene 🇺🇸 (@mtgreenee) April 13, 2024
During an interview on NBC News’s “Meet The Press” on Sunday, Turner spoke about how Biden’s weakness contributed to the hostility in the Middle East, as he said the president’s administration emboldens and empowers Iran to carry out terror acts.
“Israel has been under attack – under attack by Iran, for decades. They fund and train Hezbollah. They fund and train Hamas, Hamas which undertook the October 7th attacks into Israel that were just, you know, vicious in a number of deaths in the manner in which it was executed, all as a result of they were trained, funded, and given weapons by Iran. So this has already been an ongoing conflict, where Israel understands that they have been under siege and under attack by Iran. It’s the first time, though, that they have attacked directly from Iran. And certainly, this is an escalation,” he explained.
He then called for a more proactive response from the Biden administration to avoid more attacks which will happen if it appears like Iran is given “a free pass” for its actions.
Biden has reportedly made it clear that his administration will not support a counterattack by Israel against Iran. After Iran launched its attack against Israel on Saturday, Biden spoke to Netanyahu on the phone and urged him to consider a joint defense of Israel that saw most of Iran’s missiles shot down, a “win.”
“You got a win. Take the win,” the president said, per an Axios source.
