In a recent digital interview, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis faced criticism from his GOP presidential rival, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, for campaigning with a member of Congress whom she referred to as the “most anti-Israel Republican there is.” Haley accused DeSantis of contradicting his stance on Ukraine and Israel, stating that he labeled Ukraine’s conflict as a territorial dispute and claimed that the war in Ukraine belongs to Israel, not America. DeSantis was joined by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., at a town hall event in Iowa on Saturday, where they discussed various issues.
Haley lambasted Massie for his recent votes in the House of Representatives, where he aligned with the far-left “Squad” and voted against bills that supported Israel. She pointed out that Massie voted against measures calling out anti-Semitism on college campuses and against providing $6 billion to Iran in exchange for five hostages. Haley argued that bringing Massie to Iowa raised questions about DeSantis’ commitment to Israel.
Massie, who identifies as a Libertarian, has clarified that he supports Israel but disagrees with certain legislative actions introduced after the October 7 attacks by Hamas terrorists. He voted against a resolution reaffirming Israel’s right to exist, citing concerns about equating anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism. Massie also opposed a resolution condemning anti-Semitism on college campuses, expressing concerns about free speech.
DeSantis responded to the criticism by stating that he and Massie do not see eye-to-eye on foreign relations issues and referred to Massie as an “isolationist.” He emphasized that while they may disagree on certain matters, it is important to focus on the common ground within the Republican party.
In defense of DeSantis, his campaign press secretary, Bryan Griffin, highlighted the governor’s consistent support for Israel. Griffin mentioned DeSantis’ strong anti-Iran legislation, his support for Israel in combating Hamas, and his efforts to repatriate Americans stranded in Israel due to the Biden administration’s policies.
The article concludes by mentioning that Digital has reached out to Massie’s office for comment. It also encourages readers to visit the Digital election hub for the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail and politics content.
Overall, the article highlights the criticism faced by Ron DeSantis for campaigning with Rep. Thomas Massie, who has been labeled as anti-Israel. It presents perspectives from both DeSantis and his rival Nikki Haley, shedding light on their differing views on foreign relations and support for Israel.
