Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie traveled to Israel on Sunday to show support for the Jewish state. He is the first Republican to visit Israel since the October 7 attacks.
Christie visited sites where the October 7 massacre was perpetrated, including Kibbutz Kfar Aza. Additionally, he went to see the wounded in a hospital in Tel Aviv.
He told both US and Israeli media that he vowed to share the atrocities he saw. Christie insisted that more people needed to see the violence firsthand, specifically those hoping to become US presidents.
“If you don’t understand the stakes after seeing this, then you’re lost,” he said while continuing to assure those attacked that most Americans still support Israel.
He also was shown the arsenal of weapons seized by the IDF following the October 7 attacks.
Aftermath of Oct. 7 massacre
Christie added that he believed many students in the US are confused and receiving misinformation.
“What I’d say is that anybody that advocates for the loss of life, on Israelis or Palestinians, I’d remind them that there was a ceasefire in this conflict before October 7.”
The presidential hopeful plans to recollect what he witnessed in a foreign policy speech on Wednesday.
After viewing a screening compiled by the IDF of the violent acts perpetrated by Hamas on October 7, Christie noted that he saw the pleasure and “joy” that the terrorists expressed during the attacks.
This included opening refrigerators, eating food, and looting homes.
He reportedly met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog to discuss the state of the war, the involvement of the US, and the ongoing hostage situation. He did not meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Christie said determining the next steps for governing the Gaza Strip when Hamas is eliminated remained unclear.
“I don’t see any long line of folks looking to volunteer,” he said.
When asked about the rising death toll in Gaza, Christie said the death of civilians was tragic and should always be avoided, but nevertheless, “We need to make sure that Hamas cannot use civilians as shields.”
The protesters should “come to Israel and see it for yourself,” Christie said.