Nikki Haley, the failed Republican presidential candidate, signed Israeli artillery shells with the inscription “Finish Them!” during a Memorial Day visit to Israel.
The former South Carolina governor’s explicit show of support came during a trip to Israel’s northern border with Lebanon, where she was accompanied by Danny Danon, a former Israeli ambassador to the United Nations and a noted hawkish member of the Likud party of Benjamin Netanyahu in the Knesset.
Her signing came as Israel is engaged in a devastating military offensive in Gaza that has so far killed more than 36,000 Palestinians, including an estimated 15,000 children.
Speaking to reporters, Haley was unapologetic, criticizing Joe Biden’s administration for temporarily withholding weapons as a means to deter an Israeli attack on the southern Gaza city of Rafah, and taking aim at the International Criminal Court (ICC ) – which is demanding Netanyahu’s arrest – and the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which is investigating allegations of genocide against Israel.
“What America needs to understand is that if Israel is fighting our enemies, how can we not help them,” said Haley, whose rocket message also included the words “America loves Israel.”
“The sure way not to help Israel is to withhold weapons. The sure way not to help Israel is to praise the ICC, the International Court of Justice or anyone else who condemns Israel rather than condemning what is happening.
“America must do what Israel needs and stop telling them how to fight this war. You are either a friend or not a friend.”
Haley, like Danon, a former ambassador to the U.N., said last week that she would vote for Trump in November’s presidential election, despite previously labeling him “dangerous” and unfit to serve.
Danon proudly documented Haley’s show of support on his
According to Israeli peace activist Alon-Lee Green, Haley also visited settlements in the West Bank, which are not recognized under international law.
“Dear Americans, Nikki Haley visited us today: she went to the settlements in the West Bank and then signed on a bomb ‘finish them’. Just disgusting,” Green said. ‘Can you please bring her back? We already have one [Itamar] Ben-Gvir [Israel’s national security minister] and don’t need your filthy death-promoting politicians either. Thank you!”
