In the first Republican presidential primary debate of 2024, sparks flew as former UN ambassador Nikki Haley slammed maverick tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy over his recent calls to reduce U.S. aid to Israel.
Haley wasted no time in asserting her staunch support for the Jewish state, reminding the audience of her tenure as US ambassador to the UN under former president Donald Trump. In a scathing rebuke, she told Ramaswamy, “You have no foreign policy experience and it shows.”
In his defense, Ramaswamy emphasized his commitment to fostering a stronger bond with Israel by the end of his term. He praised Israel’s border policies and their strong national identity, noting, “Friends help each other stand on their own two feet.”
But Haley shot back, emphasizing the strategic significance of the U.S.-Israel relationship, especially in the context of Iran. She said the US needed Israel more than Israel needed the US, a claim which might be interpreted as supporting Ramaswamy’s point.
