DeSantis Asserts U.S. Should Reject Palestinian Refugees from Gaza, Citing Antisemitism Concerns

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Republican presidential aspirant Ron DeSantis has articulated that the United States should abstain from admitting Palestinian refugees fleeing the Gaza Strip, alleging they are “uniformly antisemitic.” This stance diverges markedly from the conventional positions held by U.S. policymakers, including those within his own party, who typically differentiate between the objectives of the Palestinian populace and the actions of Hamas. The extremist organization has governed Gaza since 2007 and initiated a recent offensive against Israel.

DeSantis justifies his hard-line approach, one that is increasingly characterizing his presidential campaign, by suggesting that withholding essential services like water could coerce Hamas into releasing captives. “Israelis and Americans are held hostage. There is no incumbent obligation to supply water and other utilities while these hostages are detained. Conversations can commence only after their release,” DeSantis elaborated during an interview with CBS’s “Face The Nation.”

Various international organizations, including the United Nations, humanitarian agencies, and Israeli human rights groups, have implored Israel to permit the supply of water and emergency fuel to Gaza. Medical professionals in the area have raised alarms that the scarcity of these vital resources could lead to a humanitarian crisis, potentially costing thousands of lives.

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has already resulted in more than 3,600 casualties. DeSantis’s remarks highlight his adoption of a strongly conservative rhetoric as he aims to position himself as a formidable challenger to former President Donald Trump, the current frontrunner for the Republican nomination in 2024.

DeSantis first unveiled his views on rejecting Palestinian refugees during a campaign event in Iowa, reiterating that such individuals are “inherently antisemitic.”

In contrast, Nikki Haley, former U.N. Ambassador and a fellow GOP candidate, emphasized on CNN’s “State of the Union” that many Palestinians aspire to break free from what they consider terrorist rule. “The United States has traditionally shown empathy toward the view that civilians can be distinguished from terrorists. This is the course of action we should adopt,” she stated.

Israel’s Ambassador to the United States, Michael Herzog, further differentiated between Palestinians and Hamas in his statements. “Hamas is our adversary, not the Palestinian citizens or innocent civilians,” he conveyed on CNN.

In defense of his comments, DeSantis reiterated his belief that admitting refugees from Gaza would be detrimental to the United States. “The populace in Gaza elected Hamas. While not all are members, the electoral choice cannot be ignored,” he commented. He went on to describe what he termed as “a corrosive culture” in Gaza, cautioning that accepting a large number of refugees could exacerbate antisemitic and anti-American sentiments domestically.

DeSantis has been proactive in displaying his focus on the Israel-Hamas conflict. Last week, he authorized an executive order enabling the Florida Division of Emergency Management to organize flights for Floridians stranded in Israel, as well as to dispatch necessary supplies to the country.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Ron DeSantis Palestinian refugees

More about Ron DeSantis Palestinian refugees

• Ron DeSantis on CBS’s “Face The Nation”
• United Nations’ Appeal for Humanitarian Aid to Gaza
• Nikki Haley’s Comments on CNN’s “State of the Union”
• Michael Herzog’s Interview on CNN
• Florida Division of Emergency Management Executive Order
• Overview of Israel-Hamas Conflict
• History of U.S. Policy on Palestinian Refugees