A recent dispute has emerged between Republican presidential candidates Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida and Nikki Haley, the former governor of South Carolina and U.N. ambassador, regarding remarks made about Palestinians in the context of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Governor DeSantis faced criticism after stating at a campaign event in Iowa that the U.S. should not accept refugees from Gaza, labeling all Palestinians in Gaza as “antisemitic.” Haley, in response, contended that “half of Palestinians” do not want to be governed by Hamas and emphasized the importance of distinguishing civilians from terrorists in the conflict zone.
Nikki Haley said on Sunday that “half of Palestinians” don’t want to be governed by Hamas. | Bryon Houlgrave/AP
In a subsequent interview, DeSantis dismissed Haley’s critique as an attempt to be politically correct, asserting his commitment to speaking what he perceived as the truth. He pointed to Hamas’s efforts to influence young minds, teaching anti-Semitic sentiments as a basis for his comments.
The disagreement between the two candidates unfolded against the backdrop of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, which escalated following a surprise attack by Hamas militants on October 7. The conflict has led to casualties on both sides, with Israel implementing a siege on Gaza and launching retaliatory missile strikes, while Hamas continues to launch rockets at Israeli cities.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that Haley’s standing within the GOP has been on the rise, positioning her as an alternative to former President Donald Trump, the frontrunner in the 2024 Republican primary. Both DeSantis and Haley are vying for support from conservative donors, with Haley experiencing an uptick in early state polling while the DeSantis campaign faces recent challenges.
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