Article Summary –
Representative Elise Stefanik addressed Israeli lawmakers at Parliament, marking the highest-ranking House Republican to do so since the Oct. 7 terrorist attack. She rebuked President Biden and the Democrats, positioning her party as the true allies of Israel, and criticized Biden for pausing an arms shipment to Israel. Stefanik’s speech and approach appear to be carefully designed to curry favor with former President Donald Trump, who has previously mentioned Stefanik as a potential vice-presidential candidate.
Representative Elise Stefanik Addresses Israeli Parliament
On May 19, Representative Elise Stefanik is set to make a high-profile speech in front of Israeli lawmakers, becoming the highest-ranking House Republican to do so since the Oct. 7 terrorist attack. Her speech, expected on Sunday, intends to criticize President Biden and Democrats, positioning Republicans as staunch allies of the Jewish state.
Stefanik’s address comes amid Biden administration’s urge for Israel to halt the Gaza war. It also ties in with the Republican strategy to exploit Democratic differences regarding Israel’s response to terrorist attacks. Over the past six months, this approach has included a symbolic House vote, pushing Biden to expedite the paused arms shipment to Israel.
Concerned about Israel using weapons on Rafah, a densely populated city in southern Gaza, Biden paused military aid recently. Moreover, his administration informed Congress of its intention to sell Israel over $1 billion in new weapons.
Stefanik’s Expected Remarks in Speech
“There is no excuse for an American president to block aid to Israel,” Stefanik plans to say during her speech. She is also looking to endear herself to former President Donald J. Trump, who has cited Stefanik, a past George W. Bush White House aide, as a potential vice-presidential candidate.
Stefanik’s remarks may further solidify her position with the former president, disregarding the traditional principle of non-partisanship in foreign affairs. She has established herself as a loyal Trump defender in Congress since his first impeachment in 2019. Her forthcoming speech mentions Trump three times, spotlighting his administration’s accomplishments such as the Abraham Accords and relocating the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.
“Americans feel a strong connection to your people. They have opened their hearts to you in this dark hour,” Stefanik is slated to say.
Stefanik’s Visit in Israel
Alongside her address at Jerusalem Hall in the Knesset, Stefanik will meet Israeli officials, tour religious sites, and locations targeted in the Oct. 7 attacks. Stefanik has held a significant role in congressional investigations into antisemitism on college campuses. Her questioning led to the resignation of Harvard and University of Pennsylvania presidents, marking a major moment in this Congress.
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