The White House criticized Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel after she said the terrorist attacks on Israel by Hamas militants over the weekend is a “great opportunity” for Republican candidates to contrast their foreign policy position with Joe Biden.
“At least nine Americans have lost their lives in these brutal terrorist attacks against the State of Israel. Hundreds of additional innocent people are dead,” deputy press secretary Andrew Bates said in a statement Monday.
“While apparently some individuals like Ronna McDaniel consider this loss of life and pain a ‘great opportunity,’ most Americans see it as a horrific tragedy,” Bates continued. “As the administration provides assistance to the Israeli Defense Force, this is a moment in which all Americans, regardless of political views, should stand shoulder to shoulder with one of our closest allies. No one can ever welcome this kind of hideous behavior or try to divide our country when we need to be united.”
On Saturday, McDaniel told Fox News that the attack is, “a great opportunity for our candidates to contrast where Republicans have stood with Israel time and time again and Joe Biden has been weak.”
In a statement, RNC Spokesperson Emma Vaughn blamed the media for “twisting” McDaniel’s words to protect Democrats.
“The RNC and Chairman McDaniel have long been fierce advocates for Israel, its people, and condemned the attacks immediately,” Vaughn said. “It’s despicable that the media is twisting Chairman McDaniel’s words and providing cover for Democrats that have repeatedly attacked Israel’s right to exist.”
