WASHINGTON >> Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis has sparked controversy with his stance on Palestinian refugees fleeing the Gaza Strip. DeSantis believes that the United States should not accept any Palestinian refugees because he claims they are all antisemitic. His comments diverge from the position held by other U.S. officials, including some within his own party, who distinguish between the intentions of Palestinian civilians and those of the militant group Hamas, which currently governs Gaza.
DeSantis has been advocating for hard-line policies, and he even suggested that withholding utilities such as clean running water could be a strategic method to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages it has taken. While U.S. officials, aid groups, and human rights organizations have called on Israel to provide these basic necessities to the 2.3 million civilians in Gaza, DeSantis has dismissed these pleas.
The Florida governor’s remarks demonstrate his alignment with far-right rhetoric as he seeks to gain ground on former President Donald Trump, the leading contender for the GOP’s 2024 presidential nomination. DeSantis initially made his controversial comments about Palestinian refugees while campaigning in Iowa, where he argued that they are all antisemitic.
However, other candidates within the Republican Party, such as former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and Israel’s ambassador to the U.S., Michael Herzog, have taken a more nuanced approach. They emphasize that the enemy is Hamas, not the entire Palestinian population. Herzog stated that “our enemy is Hamas. It’s not the Palestinian people. It’s not the innocent civilians.”
During a TV interview, DeSantis defended his remarks by pointing to the fact that Palestinians in Gaza elected Hamas as their governing body. He argued that the U.S. should not accept any refugees from Gaza due to what he perceives as a toxic culture fostered by Hamas. DeSantis believes that accepting large numbers of Palestinians as refugees would increase antisemitism and anti-American sentiment in the United States.
Despite the controversy surrounding his comments, DeSantis has been eager to demonstrate his involvement in addressing the Israel-Hamas conflict. He recently signed an executive order to organize flights for stranded Florida residents in Israel and provide supplies to Israel through the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
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