Haley Campaign Press Release - Desperate DeSantis Lies About Nikki Haley's Record

CHARLESTON, S.C. – As Nikki Haley passes Ron DeSantis in the polls, DeSantis and his cronies are desperately trying to revive his sputtering campaign by lying about Nikki Haley's record of standing up for Israel and America.

The truth is, Haley has always opposed settling Middle East refugees in America, believing that Arab countries in the region should absorb them. As governor, she fought against Barack Obama's efforts to settle Syrian refugees in South Carolina. As UN Ambassador, she opposed settling Syrian refugees in America. And now, she opposes settling Gazan refugees in America.

Haley also went to war with State Department officials to eliminate U.S. funding to Palestinians in Gaza by defunding the UN Relief and Works Agency. She has been hailed as Israel's greatest champion and repeatedly defended Israel, even when many of her UN colleagues stood with Hamas.

"Nikki Haley was taking on Hamas, defunding the anti-Israel entity known as UNRWA, and standing up for Israel, while Ron DeSantis was a backbench congressman voting for debt increases and trying to ban fracking," said Haley spokesperson Nachama Soloveichik. "It must be tough for DeSantis watching his poll numbers nosedive and realizing his campaign is running out of money, but that's no excuse for lying about Nikki's record."

BACKGROUND

Haley's Record on Refugee Settlement

• In 2015, Gov. Haley sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry saying South Carolina will not settle Syrian refugees because of serious vetting concerns.

• In 2017, Amb. Haley opposed settling Syrian refugees in the United States, arguing that it is better for refugees to stay in the region in which they live.

Haley Stood Up for Israel and against Hamas

• As UN Ambassador, Haley pushed to eliminate aid to the corrupt UN entity known as the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). UNRWA funds have repeatedly been used to fuel hatred of Israel in the West Bank and Gaza.

• Haley vetoed a UN Security Council resolution condemning Israel for "excessive, disproportionate and indiscriminate force" after Israel fought back against Hamas terrorists trying to infiltrate Israel in May 2018.

• In June 2018, Haley introduced a resolution labeling Hamas a terrorist group and condemning the indiscriminate firing of rockets by Palestinian terrorists in Gaza. Haley was the lone vote for the resolution and called the Security Council "morally bankrupt."

• In December 2018, Haley introduced a resolution condemning Hamas and labeling it a terrorist organization. For the first time ever, the General Assembly voted on the resolution, putting every member on the record for or against Hamas. The resolution received a majority of support in the General Assembly, but the General Assembly president changed the rules at the last minute to require a two-thirds majority.

Haley's Remarks to CNN's Jake Tapper

• On Sunday, Tapper asked Haley if the U.S. should do more to help Palestinian civilians. Haley called on the Arab countries to absorb Palestinian refugees.

  TAPPER: "Do you think the U.S., Israel, Egypt needs to be doing more to help these innocent Palestinian civilians get out of harm's way?

  HALEY: "But where are the Arab countries? Where are they? Where is Qatar? Where is Lebanon? Where is Jordan? Where is Egypt? Do you know we give Egypt over a billion dollars a year? Why aren't they opening the gates? Why aren't they taking the Palestinians? You know why? Because they know they can't vet them and they don't want Hamas in their neighborhood. So why would Israel want them in their neighborhood? So let's be honest with what's going on. The Arab countries aren't doing anything to help the Palestinians because they don't trust who is right, who is good, who is evil, and they don't want it in their country. So they're gonna come and blame America, they're gonna come and blame Israel, and don't fall for it, because they have the ability to fix all of this if they wanted to."

Ron DeSantis' Campaign is Sputtering

• Haley has double the amount of primary cash-on-hand money than DeSantis. Haley has $9.1 million compared to DeSantis' $5 million (plus $1 million in debt).

• Haley is beating DeSantis in the polls in New Hampshire and South Carolina and is statistically tied with DeSantis in Iowa.

• Ron DeSantis voted to increase the debt limit in Congress.

• Ron DeSantis campaigned on a pledge to ban fracking and drilling and followed through on his pledge on his second day as governor.