Tim Scott: Biden Has ‘Blood on His Hands’ in Wake of Israel attack 

President Joe Biden has “blood on his hands” after Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel over the weekend, Sen. Tim Scott said during a foreign policy speech in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday.

The South Carolina lawmaker and White House hopeful delivered a speech on Israel at the Hudson Institute. Scott reiterated his support for Israel while laying into the Democratic president, progressive lawmakers and several of his GOP primary opponents. 

“While Hamas carried out these attacks, Joe Biden has blood on his hands,” Scott said. “His weakness invited the attack. His cash giveaways to Iran helped fund terrorism. And after the attack his Administration suggested that Israel just stand down. It’s a disgrace.” 

Biden called the attacks, which have left more than 1,000 people dead, a “sheer act of evil” in remarks on Tuesday. At least 14 Americans have died, Biden said, and Americans are among the hostages taken by Hamas. 

The Biden administration has not called on Israel to “stand down” and the U.S. sent hostage rescue experts to advise the Israel Defense Forces. The White House also has made clear that $6 billion in unfrozen funds to Iran referenced by Scott has been designated for humanitarian purposes, is managed by a third party and did not bankroll the Hamas attacks on Israel. A ranking member on the Senate Banking Committee, Scott has called on Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to testify on the $6 billion in aid to Iran. 

In his remarks Tuesday, Scott had sharp words for his GOP primary opponents as well, saying their comments on Israel are not “an equal problem” compared to those on the left, but are still “a problem.” He criticized Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for his comments on Russia’s war in Ukraine, and took a swipe at businessman Vivek Ramaswamy for his policy views on Israel and Taiwan. Former U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley has also sharply criticized Ramaswamy for his stance on Israel in recent months. 

“The last thing we need is a Joe Biden wing of the Republican Party on foreign policy,” Scott said.

Scott also slammed progressive lawmakers as “hostile to the state of Israel” and said they “dabble openly in anti-Semitism.” He pointed to statements by Democratic Reps. Cori Bush, Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Pramila Jayapal and Rashida Tlaib, and said Biden should “stand up” to those members of his party.