Nikki Haley Faces Backlash for Writing 'Finish Them' on Israeli Artillery Shell

May 30 :
The current assault on Gaza has killed tens of thousands in the previous eight months. During her recent visit to Israel, Republican and former presidential contender Nikki Haley scrawled "Finish Them!" on an Israeli artillery shell. Israeli lawmaker and former UN ambassador Danny Danon posted a photo of Haley squatting among shell crates, marking one with a marker, on social media. There was another picture he posted that had Haley's autograph and read: "Finish them - America [HEART] Israel, Always."

This past weekend, Danon accompanied Haley on her tour. Haley is a former U.S. ambassador to the UN, having served under President Trump.

Human rights groups wasted no time in condemning Haley for the statement. No one should pull a stunt during a conflict. Rules govern conflict. Amnesty International issued a statement in response to Haley's conduct on May 29th, stating that civilians must be safeguarded.

After 45 people were murdered in an airstrike and a fire broke out in a tent camp in a western part of Rafah, Gaza, on Sunday, world leaders voiced their outrage at Israel's three-week offensive.

The World Court issued a historic emergency verdict last week in the South African case that accused Israel of genocide and ordered Israel to immediately cease its military assault on Rafah. Israel rejects accusations of genocide.

In an X post from May 25th, former HRW director Kenneth Roth asked of Haley: "Why not just sign I favour Israeli war crimes."

"Israel must do whatever is necessary to protect her people from evil," Haley wrote on X later Wednesday, after mentioning that Israel was fighting "enemies" of the US.

According to Reuters, Haley could not be reached for comment at this time on May 26. The Israeli campaign in Gaza has divided American politicians over the Biden administration's stance, caused demonstrations on college campuses, and drawn increasing international criticism; Haley has long been an ally of Israel.

More than 36,000 people have died as a result of the conflict, according to the Palestinian health ministry in the area. In addition to the displacement of nearly all of the 2.3 million people who lived in the little coastal enclave, there is extensive famine in the area. According to Israeli estimates, more than 250 hostages were taken prisoner and 1,200 people were killed in an attack by the terrorist Palestinian group Hamas on October 7. Israel claims it is defending itself.