U.S. Senator Steve Daines has published an opinion piece in the Daily Caller addressing the future of the relationship between the United States and Israel. In his article, Daines reflects on his recent visit to Israel and discusses events since the October 7 attacks.
According to Daines, “Oct. 7 was the worst attack on Jews since the Holocaust. Thousands of Hamas terrorists invaded Israel and murdered 1,200 people from 41 countries, including 39 Americans. They raped women, beheaded men, burned babies alive in ovens and took 255 people hostage, including 12 Americans.”
He also stated that “Hamas is funded by the political leadership of Iran, the world’s largest state sponsor of terror. Iran’s top priority is to annihilate Israel.” Daines emphasized the diversity within the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), saying: “The soldiers of the Israeli Defense Forces have been a model for bravery and courage as they defend their homeland and freedom. It’s important to note that the IDF has soldiers of every faith and political persuasion. Conservatives and liberals, Jews, Christians, Druze, and Muslims fight shoulder to shoulder.”
Daines contrasted Israeli military conduct with that of its adversaries: “This is the way of the Israelis. And unlike their enemies, they do not target innocent civilians or use hospitals for military headquarters.”
He highlighted Israeli efforts to recover hostages and combat militant groups: “To date, Israel has recovered 135 hostages, many in daring raids. It has destroyed the leadership structure of the Hezbollah network, an Iranian proxy, and used explosives in pagers and walkie-talkies to kill Hezbollah fighters. Rooting out the source of extremism and violence, they have killed other enemies in Tehran, Damascus, and Beirut.”
Daines concluded by calling for continued American support for Israel: “In a short amount of time, through unique skill and strength, Israel has neutralized many threats to peace in the Near East… America must continue to stand with its staunchest and oldest ally in the Middle East. If we don’t, we give evil a chance to triumph.”
The full op-ed can be read at The Daily Caller.
