US Sen Cruz: Biden showed 'weakness,' emboldened Hamas

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz says President Joe Biden is being soft on Israel's foes and inviting more violence

JERUSALEM -- U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz on Monday accused President Joe Biden of being soft on Israel's foes and inviting further violence during a deadly 11-day war that left Israelis rattled and turned parts of the Gaza Strip to rubble. One of four prominent Republicans in Israel in the conflict's aftermath, Cruz told The Associated Press in an interview that the Democratic president's policies, including a call for Israel to wind down the war, had “emboldened” Hamas' militant rulers. He said the U.S. owes Palestinians no humanitarian aid as long as there's a danger of that money flowing to Hamas. “The longer Joe Biden shows weakness to Hamas or Hezbollah or Iran, the more you’re going to see terrorist attacks escalating,” Cruz said after a day of touring Israel’s Iron Dome rocket-defense system and and viewing damage in Ashkelon. Cruz also refused to rule out another run for president in 2024, keeping alive the prospect of a new Republican brawl for the party's presidential nomination — and perhaps a rematch with former President Donald Trump.