Critics tore into President Joe Biden as being responsible for Hamas’ assault on Israel Saturday by providing billions to Iran, which funds and supports the terrorist group.
In September, the Biden administration allowed the transfer of $6 billion in frozen assets to Iran — which funds and supports Hamas — in exchange for the release of five Americans.
The White House stressed at the time that Iran could only use the funds for “food, medicine, medical equipment that would not have a dual military use” — but Iran waved off the terms and publicly boasted they would deploy the cash “wherever we need it.”
GOP presidential candidates quickly slammed the Biden administration as playing a role in Saturday’s unprecedented attacks.
GOP presidential candidates quickly slammed the Biden administration as playing a role in Saturday’s bloody attacks.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said, “Iran has helped fund this war against Israel, and Joe Biden’s policies that have gone easy on Iran has helped to fill their coffers. Israel is now paying the price for those policies. We’re going to stand with the State of Israel, they need to root out Hamas and we need to stand up to Iran.”
“These Hamas attacks are a disgrace and Israel has every right to defend itself with overwhelming force. Sadly, American taxpayer dollars helped fund these attacks, which many reports are saying came from the Biden Administration,” former President Donald Trump said in a statement.
Former Vice President Mike Pence wrote on social media, “This is what happens when POTUS projects weakness on the world stage, kowtows to the mullahs in Iran with a $6 Billion ransom, and leaders in the Republican Party signal American retreat as Leader of the Free World. Weakness arouses Evil.”
“Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel today is an assault on Western Civilization. The truth is though, Joe Biden funded these attacks on Israel,” South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott said. “America’s weakness is blood in the water for bad actors, but this is worse than that. We didn’t just invite this aggression, we paid for it. Iran is the biggest funder of Hamas. This is the Biden $6 billion ransom payment at work.”
Former UN ambassador Nikki Haley, a staunch supporter of Israel, also condemned the attacks and pointed to the Hamas-Iran connection.
“Make no mistake: Hamas is a bloodthirsty terrorist organization backed by Iran and determined to kill as many innocent lives as possible. The reports out of Israel are horrific with a stunning number of dead and wounded and should be universally condemned,” Haley said in a statement.
Follow along with The Post’s live blog for the latest on Hamas’ attack on Israel
Conservative entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy said he was “appalled by the barbaric and medieval Hamas attacks” and called upon the US to stand with Israel.
Online the reaction was much the same, as critics of the Biden administration pounced on the cash giveaway.
“You gave the Iranian Regime $6 billion to launch this war. Resign!.” snapped Richard Grenell, a former Director of National Intelligence, in response to a tweet of condolence from Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Amid the firestorm Under Sec. Brian Nelson claimed that: “All of the money held in restricted accounts in Doha as part of the arrangement to secure the release of 5 Americans in September remains in Doha. Not a penny has been spent.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the nation was “at war” after Hamas — the militant ruling party in the Gaza Strip — launched its deadliest attack on the country in years, with at least 40 Israelis killed and hundreds wounds.
Biden released a statement on the attacks and stressed he was in close contact with Netanyahu.
“The United States unequivocally condemns this appalling assault against Israel by Hamas terrorists from Gaza, and I made clear to Prime Minister Netanyahu that we stand ready to offer all appropriate means of support to the Government and people of Israel. Terrorism is never justified. Israel has a right to defend itself and its people,” Biden said. “The United States warns against any other party hostile to Israel seeking advantage in this situation. My Administration’s support for Israel’s security is rock solid and unwavering.”
His national security team said the US condemns the attacks and that the administration stands firm with the US ally.
“The United States unequivocally condemns the unprovoked attacks by Hamas terrorists against Israeli civilians. There is never any justification for terrorism. We stand firmly with the Government and people of Israel and extend our condolences for the Israeli lives lost in these attacks. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has spoken to Israeli National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi and we remain in close contact with our Israeli partners,” NSC spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement.
The NSC did not immediately respond.