Far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has stirred controversy by claiming that prominent U.S. Republican lawmakers support bombing food and aid depots in Gaza. This assertion came after Ben-Gvir met with senior members of the Republican Party at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
In a social media post, Ben-Gvir stated that these officials backed his position on how to handle the situation in Gaza, suggesting that targeting aid depots could apply military and political pressure to secure the release of hostages. He did not name all the Republicans present but mentioned that Congressman Tom Emmer, a high-ranking member of the U.S. House of Representatives, was in attendance. Reports from various media outlets confirmed Emmer’s presence at the meeting.
Emmer has been vocal in Congress about supporting Israel, especially during the ongoing conflict in Gaza. He has consistently blamed Hamas for the civilian casualties in the region. However, a spokesperson for Emmer did not respond to inquiries about whether he endorses Ben-Gvir’s controversial stance on attacking aid sites.
The ongoing war in Gaza has resulted in significant loss of life. The Health Ministry in Gaza reports that over 51,300 Palestinians have died since the conflict escalated following a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, which killed at least 1,139 people.
Ben-Gvir is known for advocating a hardline approach to the conflict. He has called for measures like cutting off electricity and water to Gaza and has openly supported plans to forcibly relocate its residents. After briefly resigning from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government earlier this year over a ceasefire deal, he rejoined in March, pushing for continued military action.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with Israeli military operations resuming on March 18, resulting in additional casualties. Meanwhile, international leaders from France, Germany, and the United Kingdom have condemned Israel’s blockade of aid, calling the actions "intolerable."
As the conflict continues, the debate over the U.S. support for Israel and its implications for peace in the region intensifies.