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Nikki Haley, the former Republican presidential nominee and ex-governor of South Carolina, sparked a controversy during her visit to Israel. While touring Israel’s northern border with Lebanon, Haley signed Israeli artillery shells with the inscription “Finish Them!”

The former White House hopeful was accompanied by Danny Danon, a former Israeli ambassador to the United Nations.

Her actions come amid a devastating military offensive in Gaza that has resulted in the deaths of over 36,000 Palestinians, including an estimated 15,000 children.

Israel’s recent bombardment of a camp in Rafah housing displaced Palestinians drew global condemnation.

Despite the grim toll, Haley voiced her support for Israel and criticised US President Joe Biden’s administration for temporarily withholding weapons to discourage an Israeli attack on the southern Gaza city of Rafah. She also condemned the international criminal court (ICC) and the international court of justice (ICJ), which are respectively seeking Netanyahu’s arrest and considering charges of genocide against Israel.

“The sure way to not help Israel is to withhold weapons. The sure way to not help Israel is to praise the ICC, the ICJ or any of those that are condemning Israel instead of condemning what happens,” Nikki Haley was quoted as saying by The Guardian.

“America needs to do whatever Israel needs and stop telling them how to fight this war. You are either a friend or not a friend,” she added.

Her visit also included a trip to southern Israel, where she met with survivors of the October 7 Hamas attack, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the kidnapping of another 253.

The photo of Nikki Haley signing the missile and the inscription on the artillery was shared by several people on social media platforms. Users online slammed the former Republican presidential nominee, calling her out for signing a weapon that would be used to bring out death and destruction.

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