Wednesday morning, President Joe Biden announced a fresh $100 million dollars for “humanitarian aid” in Gaza, as well as Judea and Samaria. Of course, critics were quick to point out that there is a strong likelihood that that funding will wind up in the hands of the very Islamic extremists at war with Israel.
Among those who took ire with Biden’s decision was former President Donald Trump. From a lower Manhattan courthouse, where the GOP frontrunner is facing a civil fraud legal battle, Trump blasted the current commander-in-chief.
“I think right now it’s totally inappropriate. It’s so inappropriate — to be doing that right now? He’s over in Israel, and he’s giving money to the Palestinians,” Trump said in disbelief.
“I think it’s pretty inappropriate,” he added again for good measure.
TRUMP: "Biden is sending $100 million to the Palestinians…It's totally inappropriate…
He's over in Israel and he's giving money to the Palestinians…VERY inappropriate!" pic.twitter.com/vrCRFWeuEx
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) October 18, 2023
Earlier in the day on Twitter, Biden seemed aware that Hamas would attempt to steal some of this money.
“This money will support over 1 million displaced and conflict-affected Palestinians,” Biden tweeted. “And we will have mechanisms in place so this aid reaches those in need – not Hamas or terrorist groups.”
I just announced $100 million for humanitarian assistance in Gaza and the West Bank.
This money will support over 1 million displaced and conflict-affected Palestinians.
And we will have mechanisms in place so this aid reaches those in need – not Hamas or terrorist groups.
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 18, 2023
In reaction to that tweet, Florida Governor and GOP presidential candidate Ron DeSantis was as stunned as Trump by the move.
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“Aid to the Gaza Strip is what Biden is prioritizing today?” DeSantis said. “This aid will of course be commandeered by Hamas. No taxpayer dollars should be sent to Gaza. Stop funding jihad!”
Aid to the Gaza Strip is what Biden is prioritizing today? This aid will of course be commandeered by Hamas.
No taxpayer dollars should be sent to Gaza. Stop funding jihad! https://t.co/mRwyRSehMV
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) October 18, 2023
Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR), a veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, added, “Under present circumstances, ‘humanitarian assistance’ = resupply for Hamas terrorists. President Biden continues to embolden Iran and its terror proxies.”
Under present circumstances, “humanitarian assistance” = resupply for Hamas terrorists. President Biden continues to embolden Iran and its terror proxies. https://t.co/AuouSepdJu
— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) October 18, 2023
Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) vowed to propose legislation to stop Biden’s funding.
“Not a single dollar of U.S. aid should go to Hamas-controlled Gaza until all hostages, including AMERICANS, are safely released. I’ll be on the Senate floor later to pass my Stop Taxpayer Funding of Hamas Act to guarantee that. Surely no Democrat could disagree with this…”
Not a single dollar of U.S. aid should go to Hamas-controlled Gaza until all hostages, including AMERICANS, are safely released. I'll be on the Senate floor later to pass my Stop Taxpayer Funding of Hamas Act to guarantee that.
Surely no Democrat could disagree with this… https://t.co/5dlzFBSXrd
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) October 18, 2023
As president, Trump ended all aid to Gaza and Judea and Samaria as part of his strong anti-terror foreign policy. The Biden administration restored that aid in April 2021. Just weeks later, Hamas launched 4,000 rockets at Israel.
At the time, Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) presciently said, “The longer Joe Biden shows weakness to Hamas or Hezbollah or Iran, the more you’re going to see terrorist attacks escalating.”
Indeed, the most recent Hamas terrorist attack came after the Biden administration announced it would be unfreezing $6 billion in Iranian money.
For his part, Trump also slammed the tragedy in Israel as the latest evidence of “the deadly consequences” of Biden’s “three years of breathtaking weakness and appeasement,” in an opinion column for Newsweek.