In a provocative move, former U.S. presidential hopeful Nikki Haley was photographed writing “Finish Them” on an Israeli shell during a tour of sites near the northern border with Lebanon. The photograph, posted on social media platform X by Israeli parliament member and former UN ambassador Danny Danon, has stirred significant attention and debate.
Danon, who accompanied Haley on her visit, shared the image of a kneeling Haley inscribing the message with a purple marker. “‘Finish Them’. This is what my friend the former ambassador Nikki Haley wrote,” Danon captioned the post, which quickly garnered widespread reactions.
Haley, known for her hawkish stance during her tenure as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations under Donald Trump, has a history of strong support for Israel. Her latest action comes amid the ongoing Gaza war, triggered by Hamas’s October 7 attack on southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,189 people, mostly civilians, according to the latest figures from Israeli officials compiled by AFP.
In retaliation, Israel’s offensive in Gaza has led to the deaths of at least 36,096 people, predominantly civilians, according to the Gaza health ministry. The conflict has also seen militants taking 252 hostages, with 121 still remaining in Gaza, including 37 who the Israeli army says are dead.
Haley, who abandoned her presidential bid in March after heavy defeats in the Republican primary contests to Trump, recently reaffirmed her support for the former president. Despite Trump ruling her out as a vice presidential candidate, Haley is considered a potential presidential contender for 2028.
The White House, meanwhile, stated that President Joe Biden has no plans to alter his Israel policy in light of a recent deadly strike on Rafah. However, it emphasized that Biden is not ignoring the plight of Palestinian civilians.
Haley’s message has drawn both criticism and support, highlighting the deep divisions and intense emotions surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict. Her words have further cemented her image as a staunch ally of Israel and a polarizing figure in American and international politics.
