Washington- The first and only television debate between the candidates for the position of US Vice President began on Tuesday evening. By asking whether the candidates “support or oppose preventive military strikes against… Iran“.
The wording of this first and important question in the only debate between the two vice-presidential candidates reflected the way the mainstream American media frames the conflict in the Middle East, based on what it repeats: The white house In commenting on all developments whether… Israel Attacks or launches attacks against it, out of its full support for “Israel's right to defend itself.”
And he said Tim Waltzthe Democratic vice presidential candidate, said, “Supporting Israel’s ability to defend itself and recover hostages is essential to us.”
As for the Republican candidate J. The Fans He said, “We must support Israel when it fights evil people, and the decision is in Israel's hands regarding the response.” He added, “Deterrence must be restored by showing force, and this is what led to the stability that we witnessed globally during Trump's presidency.”
The position of the competing candidates reflected a consensus in the American capital to support Israel “and support its right to respond to Iranian attacks, and its right to self-defense.”
“Pray for Israel”
The Speaker of the House of Representatives demanded Mike Johnson Americans “pray for Israel,” this was stated in a tweet on the X website immediately after the news of the start of the Iranian missile attack on Israel spread.
While reports indicated that President Joe Biden And his deputy Kamala Harris They monitored the Iranian attack on Israel from the White House Situation Room, and received regular updates from their national security team.
Biden directed the US military to assist Israel's defenses against Iranian attacks and to help shoot down missiles targeting it.
Before the strike began, Biden tweeted on the X platform, saying that “the United States is ready to help Israel defend against the Iranian missile attack,” and he also said that his country is “ready to protect American citizens in the region.”
American forces deployed in several countries intercepted The Middle EastSome of the Iranian missiles were fired at Israel, which number more than 40,000 soldiers, but the exact number is not known, according to what a military official told ABC.
The official, whose identity was not revealed, added, “In accordance with our strict commitment to Israel's security, American forces in the region are currently defending against missiles launched by Iran targeting Israel. Our forces remain in a position to provide additional defensive support and protect American forces operating in the region.”
For his part, the National Security Adviser noted Jake Sullivan Washington believes that what happened is an Iranian escalation, and not a response to the Israeli escalation during the last days and hours. Sullivan considered that these Iranian attacks were “defeated and had no value.” He stressed that “there will be serious consequences of this Iranian attack, and we will work with Israel to ensure that this is the case.”
Draw a picture of empathy
Israel's supporters tried to gain Americans' sympathy by exaggerating the Israelis' behavior immediately after Iran launched more than 180 ballistic missiles at Israel. Many Israel supporters highlighted that immediately after air raid sirens sounded across Israel, nearly 10 million Israelis rushed to shelters to hide and seek safety.
Israel's supporters also recalled what two Palestinians did an hour before Iran attacked with a barrage of missiles, as they carried out an operation in downtown Tel Aviv (JaffaWe stabbed a settler and seized his weapon, followed by the killing and wounding of approximately 22 people.
Commenting on these events, Mark Dubowitz, CEO of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, which is close to Israel, said, “While fear and distress gripped the Israelis who were sent rushing to their shelters, the recent Iranian missile barrage did not result in mass casualties, nor did it affect Israel’s resolve.” To defend itself from Tehran's aggression.
They added, “Iran's most obvious achievement through this attack was to remind the world that the Islamic Republic poses a constant threat and that eliminating its regime is a necessary condition for peace and stability in the region.”
Republicans in Congress urged Israel to respond fiercely to the Iranian missile attacks, and demanded that the Biden administration provide it with the weapons it needs to do so, while prominent Democrats appeared more cautious, as they avoided pushing Biden or the Israeli leaders towards any specific path, and pledged solidarity and demanded a halt to the escalation.
Overwhelming response
Senate Republican Leader Senator Mitch McConnell said, “It is not enough to intercept missiles and drones moments before they reach civilians in Israel or Americans in the Red Sea.” The senator added in a statement, “It is time to replenish Israel's supply of vital munitions. It is time for the world's leading architects of terrorism, and their proxies, to face dire consequences.”
Senator Marco Rubio called for the re-imposition of the maximum pressure campaign on Iran, and expressed his full support for Israel's right to respond disproportionately to stop Iranian threats.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham also called for an “overwhelming response” to Iran's attack on Israel. Graham said in a tweet on the X platform, “This missile attack against Israel must be the breaking point, and I would urge the Biden administration to coordinate an overwhelming response with Israel, starting with Iran’s ability to refine oil.”
While Democratic leader BSenate Senator Chuck Schumer, “The United States will continue to stand with our ally Israel in supporting its right to defend itself.” Schumer promised to closely monitor developments in the region, and added, “Iran and its proxies must be held accountable,” without providing any details about the possible consequences.
Democratic Senator Jack Reed, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said, “Iran must immediately stop its attack and its proxy militias must step down to avoid a broader war that no one wants.”