Ryan Handson
Americans are divided on what to think of the Israel-Hamas war, but Ted Cruz has made his thoughts crystal clear – the US must help Israel eliminate Hamas. His hard stance has drawn a lot of support, but some pro-Palestinian protesters have been gathering at his home to criticize the Republican lawmaker. Here’s everything you need to know!
Israel-Hamas War Only Getting Worse
On October 7, Hamas militants launched a vicious attack against Israel in Gaza – murdering more than 1,400 people (most of whom were civilians and children) and taking more than 200 hostages. It went down as the biggest terrorist attack in Israel’s history.
Israel responded by launching an attack of their own – a vicious air, sea, and ground campaign that included a total blockade of the Gaza Strip. The blockade means no food, water, medicine, fuel, or electricity can enter the area until the Hamas militants release all the hostages.
Israel Wants To Eliminate Hamas
As of right now, Israel has one goal and one goal only – to eliminate Hamas once and for all. That’s why they launched ‘Operation Swords of Iron’ and that’s why they continue to bomb Hamas- and Lebanese-led territories.
Israel is centering their efforts on the Hamas-led territory of Gaza City – which they describe as ‘the fortress of Hamas’s terrorist activities.’ While they’ve received a lot of support from the West, some human rights groups are accusing Israel of breaching international law with the blockade.
Hamas Wants To Liberate Palestine
Hamas, an acronym for ‘Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya’ (which stands for ‘Islamic Resistance Movement’), is an Islamist organization with a military wing. Israel, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union designate Hamas as a terrorist group.
Hamas doesn’t recognize Israel’s right to exist and has one primary goal in this war: to liberate the Palestinian territories. They took control of Gaza in 2007, but they ultimately want control of all the land between the Mediterranean Sea and the River Jordan.
Sen. Ted Cruz Supports Israel’s Efforts
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) has been a heavy supporter of Israel’s efforts to eliminate Hamas from Gaza. On October 18 (11 days after the initial attack), Cruz delivered a speech on the Senate floor to make his stance clear.
“In the face of this evil, Israel must and Israel will defend herself. America’s policy should be absolutely unequivocal: to ensure Israel has the military and diplomatic support to utterly eradicate Hamas, for as long as it takes,” he said during the speech.
Feb. 17: Anti-Israel Protests Appear At Cruz’s Home
On February 17, Cruz took to his X account and posted a two-minute video of 13 protesters standing outside his house on the 3000 block of Ella Lee Lane, in Houston’s River Oaks neighborhood. They were equipped with signs, cowbells, whistles, and – of course – chants.
“For the 2d time this week, anti-Israel protestors have come to my house early in the morning, waking up the neighbors and harassing my family,” he wrote in the post. “None expressed concern about Hamas’ Oct 7 murder of over 1200 or mass rapes of women and children. I’m proud to stand with Israel.”
Feb. 17: Two Protests In The Same Day
On Feb. 17 (later that night), anti-Isreal protesters again made their presence felt when they ‘blocked the road outside Southfork Ranch, where genocidal Ted Cruz came to do fundraising,’ according to an X post by Hijabi Thinker.
Ted Cruz quoted the X post and wrote, “Two anti-Israel protests in the same day… That’s a first!” Many users voiced their support of Cruz in the comments, which falls in line with the mere 60-70% of Americans who support Israel in this conflict.
March 2: Protests For 3rd Consecutive Week
On March 2, several weeks later, Cruz posted a 35-second video of protesters outside his home for what he described as the third week in a row. One of the signs read, “Cruz loves dead kids,” and they chanted, “Ted, Ted, what do you say, how many kids did you kill today.”
“For the 3rd week in a row, masked anti-Israel protestors have shown up at my house at 7 am on Saturday, shouting and waking the neighbors,” he wrote in his post. “These antisemites don’t give a damn about the 1200 Jews murdered on October 7. Or the hundreds raped by Hamas.”
March 9: More Protesters With Whistles and Cowbells
On March 9, one week later, Cruz took to his X account again – this time posting a 1:39-long video of 16 pro-Palestinian protesters outside his Houston home. He further clarified that it was the eighth week in a row that they showed up.
“Pro-Hamas protestors showed up at my house at 7 am on Saturday, w/ whistles and cowbells, waking up the neighbors,” he wrote. “These anti-Semites REALLY hate Israel. And they added a new claim: that police officers are the KKK. God bless Israel and America.”
Not The First Time Protesters Met Outside Cruz’s Home
This isn’t the first time protesters have shown up to Cruz’s home to spread a message. In July 2022, a group of 52 school buses carrying items belonging to young victims of gun violence traveled to Cruz’s home. The caravan was organized by the father of a Parkland shooting victim.
A Mile-Long Procession Of Buses Is Carrying Items From School Shooting Victims To Ted Cruz’s House,” Change the Ref wrote in an Instagram post at the time. “The 4,368 empty seats is to honor the number of children killed this year by gun violence.”
Jan. 2024: Cruz Taking Aim At UNRWA
In January, Ted Cruz accused the UNRWA of using American funds – which total more than $1 billion since 2021 – to provide direct benefit to Hamas by distributing resources across the Gaza Strip. He called for the Biden Administration to put an end to these funds immediately.
It was later alleged that several members of the UNRWA took part in the October 7 attack – some of whom were involved in the behind-the-scenes, and some of whom were more directly involved in the hostage-taking.
Feb. 15: Cruz Sends Letter To Attorney General
On February 15, Cruz wrote a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland urging the United States Department of Justice to ‘open a criminal investigation into UNRWA USA, a U.S.-based non-profit that raises funds for the UNRWA.
According to the letter, the funds raised are directly supporting UNRWA’s continued efforts to supply Hamas with ‘material support, including the provisioning of personnel, facilities, and physical materials.’
March 5: Cruz Introduces LIABLE Act
On March 5, Cruz revealed a new bill that would allow American victims of terrorism to hold groups like the UNRWA accountable in US courts. He called it the LIABLE Act, an acronym that stands for Limiting Immunity for Assisting Backers of Lethal Extremism.
“The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) funded the rape and murder of Israelis and Americans during the October 7th attacks,” he wrote on X. “If passed into law, the LIABLE Act would allow for the victims and their families to hold UNRWA accountable for its support of Hamas.”
All Of This Happening During An Election Year
Cruz’s support for Israel and opposition to Hamas militants comes during an important election year for the junior United States senator – who assumed office in 2013. He’s currently running for a second re-election after winning in 2012 and 2018.
While he won his party’s nomination, he’s not guaranteed a seat next year, with Democratic nominee Colin Allred gaining support in Texas. It’ll be quite the showdown come November.
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