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Ernst accuses Harris of emboldening pro-Hamas demonstrators, Iran by skipping Netanyahu speech

The Iowa senator dubs anti-Israel Democrats as the ‘pro-Hamas wing of the Democratic Party’

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Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) gives remarks at a news conference at the U.S. Capitol Building on May 11, 2022, in Washington, D.C.

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) accused Vice President Kamala Harris of emboldening pro-Hamas demonstrators outside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent speech to Congress, as well as the Iranian regime, by not presiding over the Netanyahu speech.

Ernst said at the Christians United for Israel summit outside Washington, D.C., on Tuesday that Harris’ absence “sent a very powerful message” to the anti-Israel “rioters” who vandalized Union Station during the speech.

“It also sent a clear signal to Hamas’ backers in Tehran,” she continued, alleging that the Biden administration “does not have the backbone to stand up to the pro-Hamas wing of the Democratic Party.”

Harris missed the Netanyahu speech due to what her team said was pre-scheduled campaign travel, and met personally with Netanyahu later in his visit to Washington last week. She condemned the antisemitic and pro-Hamas rhetoric and activity in the demonstration. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Ernst also said that university presidents should be “on notice” that “if you allow… antisemitism to win, your funding will be revoked.”

The Senate Armed Services Committee member again threatened U.S. military aid and support to Qatar and Egypt, warning that “anything short of the maximum effort in the hostage negotiations will have consequences.”

She said the “the best way to secure [the hostages’] release is to fully support Israel in its war of self-defense,” arguing that Israel’s military campaign against Hamas secured the last hostage deal in November.

She condemned the administration for allegedly failing to provide full support, including by withholding weapons from Israel.

“The lesson from the November cease-fire is that the United States must empower Israel to do everything it can to destroy Hamas and put maximum pressure on its leaders to free the hostages,” Ernst said.

Ernst lamented that many Americans she speaks to are unaware that there are still American hostages being held in Gaza, or are ignoring that fact, condemning the media for “breathlessly cover[ing] every development in the Gaza Strip, except for the fate of our hostages.”

She said that the U.S. needs to improve sanctions enforcement against Iran, “restore deterrence and project strength on the world stage.”

“Iran fears a united Middle East,” she added, emphasizing the importance of the Abraham Accords and Israeli-Arab defense cooperation. 

She praised the Abraham Accords states for remaining committed to normalization with Israel and the United Arab Emirates for suggesting it’s willing to provide troops for a peacekeeping force inside Gaza after the war.

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