Overview
- During a Republican presidential debate, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stated that he would not prevent Israel from removing Palestinian civilians from the Gaza Strip if it were to avert a 'second Holocaust'.
- DeSantis' comments came just hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel has no plans to remove Palestinians or to permanently reoccupy the Gaza Strip.
- DeSantis also expressed his disagreement with the idea of a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, arguing that a Palestinian state could lead to Israel's 'destruction'.
- The debate took place on the eve of opening arguments at The Hague, where Israel faces charges of genocide at the International Court of Justice.
- DeSantis and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley are vying for the second place spot in the Republican presidential primary, behind former President Donald Trump.