Republican presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy cautioned Israeli officials to practice restraint following the deadly attacks by Hamas terrorists on several southern Israel towns on Oct. 7 during his visit to Iowa City on Thursday evening.
Ramaswamy kicked off his most recent tour of Iowa on Thursday at a “free speech and free drinks” event at the Reunion Brewery at Iowa City Pedestrian Mall. He hosted a packed room of more than 150 Iowa City residents hosting an open bar.
Ramaswamy’s comments follow President Joe Biden’s recent visit to Israel on Wednesday and a primetime address on Thursday garnering public support for aid to Israel.
On Oct. 7, approximately 2,500 Hamas militants burst through the Gaza border wall and attacked several Southern Israel towns killing more than 1,400 Israeli citizens. The group, backed by Hezbollah, a militant group funded by the Iranian government, killed thousands of civilians in their rampage across southern Israel.
As Israeli military forces launch airstrikes on Gaza, over 3,000 Gazan citizens have been killed during the two-week Israel-Hamas war.
Now, almost two weeks since the attack, Israel is still contemplating a full-on ground invasion of Gaza. The invasion is expected to be costly to human life for Israeli forces, Hamas fighters, and Palestinians.
Ramaswamy called for Israeli officials to practice restraint and to “respond with clarity of thought,” during his Iowa City visit. Ramaswamy compared the war in Israel to America’s 9/11. He said Israel should take more care with their actions in Gaza, and cautioned against a ground invasion.
“What Hamas did to Israel, that was barbaric. It was inhumane, It was medieval, it was a terrorist attack,” Ramaswamy said. “For Israel that was just like what 9/11 was in this country. It was horrific, and yet it is in those moments where we are most emotional, that is when we have to respond with clarity of thought.”
Biden’s speech in Israel on Wednesday struck a much different cord than his address on Thursday night. On Wednesday, Biden expressed full-throated support for Israel in the wake of the Oct. 7 attack.
However, on Thursday night — in his second-ever primetime address — Biden emphasized his counseling to Israeli officials and his efforts to de-escalate the conflict while supporting Israel’s right to protect themselves. Biden cautioned those at home from becoming victims of their own rage.
“I cautioned the government of Israel not to be blinded by rage,” Biden said in his primetime address. “And here in America, let us not forget who we are. We reject all forms, all forms of hate, whether against Muslims, Jews, or anyone. That’s what great nations do, and we are a great nation.”
Biden addressed the fear among the Jewish community and denounced the killing of a 6-year-old Palestinian boy in Chicago last week.
In a Q&A segment after the event, Ramaswamy answered a question from an Iowa City resident about his support of Israel given their history of brutal treatment of Palestinians.
Ramaswamy said that he stands for American interests, and does not plan “to play god” on the world stage if elected president. Ramaswamy criticized other candidates for their reactions to the conflict in Israel.
Former U.N. Ambassador and Republican Presidential hopeful Nikki Haley recently called for Israel to “eliminate” Hamas and Former Vice President and Republican Presidential Hopeful Mike Pence drew a contrast between him and Ramaswamy voicing his support for Israel in Glenwood, Iowa, earlier this month.
“These are meaningless slogans until you have a clear vision of what we’re doing, and why,” Ramaswamy said. “And so I think it’s imperative that free speech isn’t for the moments when it’s easy.”
