Green Bay Reporter

Dec 22 2023

In a letter addressed to President Biden, Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and more than 30 of his colleagues have expressed concerns over the Biden administration's alleged pressure on Israel to prematurely end its combat operations in Gaza. The letter outlines how such a move would not only provide a lifeline to Hamas but also embolden Iran and undermine the deterrent posture in the region.

"We strongly urge you to focus on leveraging every available diplomatic, economic, and military tool to support Israel's victory against Iran's terror infrastructure," the letter states. It emphasizes the importance of allowing Israel's military commanders to determine the necessary timeline to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure in Gaza and achieve their national security objectives.

The letter was signed by a number of representatives, including Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Steve Womack (R-AR), and Jen Kiggans (R-VA), among others.

The members of Congress express their opposition to pressuring Israel into arbitrary political timetables influenced by the American political cycle or the demands of international actors. They assert that military operations should be guided by the threats Israel faces and the time needed by the Israeli Defense Forces to eliminate those threats and dismantle Gaza's terrorist infrastructure.

The letter also highlights the need for the United States not to be influenced by an information war carried out by Hamas, a designated foreign terrorist organization, and its ally, Iran. It emphasizes that Hamas and its sponsors and partners are responsible for the death of thousands of civilians, including over 30 Americans. The members of Congress stress that Hamas poses a danger to Israel precisely because it has no regard for human life.

The letter further argues against providing concessions to Hamas, Iran, and other terrorist organizations like the Islamic Jihad due to Iranian escalation in other parts of the Middle East. It emphasizes the importance of supporting Israel as it confronts Iranian-backed threats in various regions.

"We must support Israel as it drives Iranian-backed threats away from its borders," the letter states. It calls for leveraging all available diplomatic, economic, and military tools to support Israel's victory against Iran's terror infrastructure.

The members of Congress also call for the continued provision of American weapons to the IDF and putting pressure on Hamas's patrons, including Iran, Qatar, Turkey, and others, in order to achieve the total defeat and surrender of Hamas.

The letter concludes by emphasizing that forcing Israel to quit the war before its strategic aims have been achieved would not lead to the desired outcome. The members of Congress assert that the total defeat and surrender of Hamas can only be accomplished by supporting Israel's military operations and dismantling the terrorist infrastructure in Gaza.

In summary, Rep. Mike Gallagher and his colleagues are urging President Biden to support Israel's effort to defend itself against Iran's terror infrastructure. They emphasize the need to leverage all available tools and allow Israel's military commanders to determine the necessary timeline for achieving their national security objectives. The letter emphasizes the dangers posed by Hamas and calls for continued support to ensure Israel's victory in the region.

To learn more, click on this link: https://gallagher.house.gov/media/press-releases/gallagher-colleagues-slam-administrations-attempt-undermine-israels-effort