Duval Times

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In case you missed it, today, Senator Rick Scott, a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services, wrote an op-ed for Fox News highlighting the need for the United States to stand strongly with Israel in its fight against Hamas and demanding that President Biden do more to hold Qatar accountable in its hostage negotiations role. This op-ed immediately follows Senator Scott’s visit to Israel, during which he met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other high-ranking officials to discuss the United States’ and Israel’s shared priority of destroying Iran-backed Hamas terrorists that have killed thousands of individuals, and continue to hold hundreds hostage, including Americans, since the October 7, 2023 attacks.

In the op-ed, Senator Rick Scott wrote, “Israel changed on October 7, 2023, when Iran-backed Hamas terrorists attacked and killed thousands of innocent people. Everywhere you look in Israel the scars of terror are present, but through the devastation, I saw an unbreakable resolve in the Israeli people and their government. I made clear to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when I met with him in Jerusalem that I will always stand with Israel. Now, President Biden must show that his administration and Democrats in Washington will do the same, stop cowering to the radical left of their party in a disgusting and dangerous attempt to get votes from Hamas-sympathizers, and force Qatar to do its job in securing the immediate release of hostages and ending its coddling of Hamas leadership."

While in Israel, Senator Rick Scott observed two crucial elements. He stated, "First, I saw the absolute evil of Israel’s enemies and their brutality." Additionally, in meetings with Prime Minister Netanyahu and Israeli leaders, he noted, "I saw the incredible and unprecedented work Israel is doing to preserve civilian life and get aid into Gaza."

Senator Scott emphasized the urgency of the situation, declaring, "Hamas must be destroyed and that means going in Rafah and any other place Hamas is hiding behind innocent civilians." He criticized the U.S. for delaying actions that could aid Israel and the hostages, stating, "But at every step, the U.S. has forced Israel to go slow and all Biden has done with that time is use it to build his attacks on and betrayal of Israel, and forced the hostages to languish in captivity even longer."

Addressing the captivity of American citizens by Hamas, Senator Scott expressed his frustration, "The five Americans that are being held hostage by Hamas have been held in captivity for more than half a year. It is unacceptable that President Biden, senior members of his administration and Democrats in Washington continue to attack Israel, call for the ousting of its democratically-elected government, and allow the abandonment of our ally at the United Nations and on the world stage."

Regarding Qatar's role in the hostage situation, Senator Rick Scott questioned, "Qatar has had months to secure the release of hostages from Hamas. How has this not yet been accomplished? Why is Qatar allowing the leaders of Hamas to live in luxury and under protection in Doha while American citizens remain tortured in the captivity of terrorists?" He advocated for repercussions if Qatar fails to act, stating, "If the Qataris won’t do their part to get our hostages out, everything should be on the table in terms of consequences for its inaction."

In conclusion, Senator Rick Scott reaffirmed his unwavering support for Israel, stating, "I will never walk away from Israel and am more committed than ever to forcing the Biden administration to stand by our great ally as it fights for its existence against the unimaginable barbarism of Iran-backed terror."