Speaker Johnson says it's U.S.'s 'biblical admonition' to help Israel
By: Elizabeth Elkind (Fox News)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., declared that it was the U.S.'s "biblical admonition" to help and support Israel during a Monday night speech.
The House GOP leader was addressing an emergency meeting of Christians United For Israel, convened after Iran's weekend missile attack on the Middle East American ally.
"I'm going to state something that you all know - at this critical moment, the United States must show unwavering strength and support for Israel…We have to make certain that the entire world understands that Israel is not alone and God is going to bless the nation that blesses Israel," Johnson said. "We understand that that's our role. It's also our biblical admonition. This is something that's an article of faith for us. It also happens to be great foreign policy."
Speaker Mike Johnson said the U.S. must support Israel in a Monday night speech where he also praised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu(Getty)
He spent much of his 15-minute address also laying into President Biden and other top Democrats who have been critical of Israel in its response to Hamas' Oct. 7 attack. In particular, he singled out Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., for calling for new elections in Israel.
"They're trying to dictate strategy, then they're trying to demand a change of leadership while Israel is in a battle for its very existence," Johnson said. "It's breathtaking."
He criticized President Biden's handling of Israel and the unfolding Middle East conflict(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
He also criticized Biden's foreign policy with respect to Iran, including reports the administration extended a sanctions waiver last month to pump more cash into its shaky economy. The waivers were first granted in November 2018.
"It's unconscionable. I can't make sense of it. And I've talked to the White House about this. I do not understand the policy. You can't make sense of it," Johnson said.
The speaker also said he confronted Schumer by phone after he called for new Israeli elections last month.
He also attacked Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for criticizing Netanyahu(Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
"I called the senator and I said, 'What are you doing?" Johnson said. "What if I came out and made a statement and called for a regime change in Ukraine…your hair would be on fire."
It came just after Johnson unveiled a new plan to fund Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan in a closed-door meeting with the House GOP conference.
Under his proposal the House would hold separate votes on each funding priority sometime at the end of this week, likely Friday, he told reporters after the meeting.
Elizabeth Elkind is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital leading coverage of the House of Representatives. Previous digital bylines seen at Daily Mail and CBS News.
Follow on Twitter at @liz_elkind and send tips to elizabeth.elkind@fox.com
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People like him will get everyone killed in the name of The Bible.
Is it the right thing to do or not? Who cares what his claimed motivation is?
He should have left it at that, but being a fanatic he couldnt.
Johnson says God will bless the nation that helps Israel.
Whats wrong with bringing God into it?
Much of the "other side" believes God is with them. In other words, a holy war is desired both by Johnson and the Ayatollahs.
There are some folks on both sides that believe God is with them.
(Especially people on social media).
But I know most of them are wrong-- because I know that God is on my side!!!
I don't fundamentally disagree with you, but given that Johnson can'tafford to lose many votes, he might have needed to "sell" the proposal with what would appeal most to each of the factions.