Nikki Haley calls for action on Israeli artillery

Nikki Haley, a former presidential candidate for the Republican party, left a message on an Israeli artillery shell that said “Finish them!” shortly after Israel faced criticism for its recent airstrike that resulted in casualties and displaced many Palestinians.

During a visit to Israel’s northern border with Lebanon, where tensions have long existed between the two countries, Haley and Danny Danon, Israel’s former ambassador to the U.N. and a member of parliament, stopped by an Israeli military post. There, a photo shared by Danon’s office on social media showed Haley writing on a munition with the caption, “This is what my friend, the former ambassador Nikki Haley, wrote … The I.D.F. will win!”

In purple ink, Haley’s message read, “Finish them! America (heart) Israel. Always, Nikki Haley.”

Haley’s public support for Israel received immediate backlash on social media, especially given the timing of her actions.

While Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to the deadly airstrike on a Palestinian refugee camp in Rafah as a “tragic mistake,” Haley emphasized the need for continued support for Israel to defeat its adversaries. She criticized the Biden administration for temporarily withholding weapons from Israel.

Haley stated, “What America needs to understand is, if Israel is fighting our enemies, we should support them. Withholding weapons and supporting organizations condemning Israel does not help. America should stand by Israel’s side and not dictate how to fight this war. You’re either a friend or not a friend.”

During Haley’s visit to Israel, she met with Netanyahu and visited sites targeted by Hamas in previous attacks. She has consistently shown her support for Israel, both during her time as U.N. ambassador and on the campaign trail.

Recently, Haley announced that she would vote for former President Donald Trump in the upcoming election, despite her previous reluctance to support him. Trump has expressed his support for Israel and skepticism towards a potential “two-state solution,” but he also mentioned that Israel was struggling in the public relations battle of the conflict.

According to the United Nations, more than 36,000 Palestinians have been killed and around 75% of Gaza residents — approximately 1.7 million people — have been displaced due to Israel’s retaliatory actions following Hamas’ initial attack on October 7. The agency also reports over 1,200 Israeli casualties and 5,400 injuries in the aftermath, with an estimated 125 hostages remaining in Gaza.