Jackson Purchase News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) emphasized the importance of national security priorities during his remarks on the Senate floor. McConnell highlighted the need to restore security at the southern border, combat authoritarian aggression in Europe, invest in competition with strategic adversaries, and stand with allies such as Israel to deter Iran and its terrorist proxies.

McConnell expressed concern over the lack of resolve and clarity from the Biden Administration and some members of Congress when it comes to supporting Israel. He specifically mentioned the October 7th attack by Iran-backed terrorists that claimed the lives of 1,200 Israelis and criticized the fading resolve among some Washington Democrats to assist Israel in fighting back.

The Republican leader raised questions about the rush to achieve a two-state solution, stating, "Why would any of us think it's a good idea to reward Hamas and the Palestinians who rejoiced on October 7th with a state?" McConnell pointed out that Hamas, the prominent alternative to the Palestinian Authority, has consistently chosen violence over improving the lives of Palestinians.

He also highlighted the corruption within the Palestinian Authority and questioned why some Democratic colleagues would want to allocate billions of taxpayer dollars to one of the most corrupt entities on the planet. McConnell emphasized the need for new Palestinian leaders and reformed institutions focused on improving lives rather than radicalizing a generation to destroy Israel.

McConnell criticized what he referred to as a new form of BDS, or Bibi Derangement Syndrome, among some Washington Democrats. He urged his colleagues to listen to Israel's President, Isaac Herzog, who recently stated that no Israeli in their right mind is focused on peace negotiations due to the glorification of terror by Israel's neighbors. President Herzog also emphasized the threat emanating from Iran and the need for the international community to impose real costs on Tehran.

In conclusion, McConnell emphasized the importance of standing with Israel and supporting its efforts to remove terrorism and corruption from the calculus of the Palestinian future. He called for significant reforms within the Palestinian Authority and for the United States to lead the international effort to impose real costs on Iran until it changes its behavior.