Aug 12, 2024

Graves backs Israel, military aid to Ukraine

Posted Aug 12, 2024 5:30 PM
Congressman Sam Graves/file photo
Congressman Sam Graves/file photo

By BRENT MARTIN

St. Joseph Post

Northern Missouri Congressman Sam Graves says the United States must back Israel in its fight against Hamas.

And, the Republican Congressman who serves on the House Armed Service Committee, is puzzled by the reaction of some Americans.

“And I think it’s fascinating, too, what we’re seeing in the country in terms of this support for the terrorists, for Hamas in Gaza as if somehow, they were attacked when in fact they attacked Israel,” Graves tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline. “It wasn’t even a military attack. It was targeted to citizens, at a concert.”

Hamas militants invaded southern Israel, killing more than 1,100 and kidnapping around 250.

The war that sparked has killed 10s of thousands.

Graves is bucking a sentiment forming in his party, backing Ukraine as it attempts to repel the invasion by Russia.

Many Republicans in Washington have soured on the war in Ukraine, questioning its relevance to national security.

Graves says there is no question the U.S. wants to stop Russia from moving into NATO member countries. Graves isn’t sure what the intent of Russian President Vladmir Putin.

“I have the burden and the privilege of seeing the intelligence when it comes to what we believe Putin intends to do, what he wants to do,” Graves says. “That would ultimately mean men and women, United States soldier, sailors, airmen, Marines fighting Russians. That is the last thing that we need.”

Graves has been impressed by Ukraine’s response to the invasion by Russia, which he believes caught Putin by surprise.

“Putin, he never expected Ukraine to last as long as it has and continue to fight back and continue to be able to push back on what is believed one of the strongest militaries in the world,” according to Graves. “He basically ran into a buzzsaw and he’s still in it.”

Graves says the United States must make every effort to keep Russia from extending the war into NATO aligned countries.

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