During an appearance on Montgomery radio's NewsTalk 93.1 "News and Views," U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) criticized the Biden administration's perceived weakness in addressing the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Palestine, blasting the president for not prioritizing the return of American hostages.
It's been nearly a year since the terrorist group Hamas launched an incursion into Israel, killing over 800 and taking over 200 Israeli and foreign hostages, including some Americans.
In the wake of the attack, Republicans have accused the Biden administration of being soft on the issue to score political points with the pro-Palestinian base of the Democratic Party. The same criticism has been levied against Vice President Kamala Harris since she took over the Democratic presidential nomination.
With waxing and waning talks between the two parties surrounding peace talks and a positive ceasefire, Republican criticism of the administration has ramped up as a resolution to the conflict seems as far away as ever.
Britt, who has been outspoken in her support of Israel in its ongoing war with Palestine, recently slammed the Biden administration and claimed the Democrats have lost all interest in regaining the American hostages. She also repeated criticisms from many Republican congressmen, blaming the United States' foreign policy regarding Iran, whom they blame for the bevy of funding going to Hamas.
Related: Katie Britt: The left is 'now effectively doing' the Iranian Ayatollah's work for him
"This administration refuses to use the tools that they need to actually place the pressure on Iran to dry them up financially; that's step one," Britt said.
"And the words that we're using, and how we're saying, truly has undermined Israel's position in being able to negotiate," she continued. "I mean, people have lost track of the fact that we're over 300 days into hostages, American hostages. Y'all, and listen, when you look at that, and there's been said there [are] eight American hostages, there are five American hostages. Look, one American hostage is one that you should go in and you should go after. We're the United States of America. People should not be able to take our citizens and hold them hostage for leverage over things. Look, I believe in our men and women in uniform, and we don't ever want to put boots on the ground unless it is absolutely necessary. But, you cannot tell me that we could not go in and get those individuals and get them out."
"I believe in peace through strength and this administration continues to fail to exhibit that. So, I'm not surprised, Joey, that anything that this administration does doesn't hold water because nobody has respect for them," Britt added.
Britt amplified her frustration with the continued hostage situation by pointing to the ongoing rhetoric at the Democratic National Convention (DNC), currently underway in Chicago.
"I just think, once again, it's really despicable that we have hostages, and here at the DNC, when they talk about ceasefire, there is a larger roar in the crowd than when they talk about getting hostages home," Britt continued. "And American hostages should certainly be a greater priority for this administration."
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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