"Peace comes through strength," former US Vice President Mike Pence says, quoting Ronald Reagan. In an exclusive interview with Israel Hayom, as he makes his way to tour the northern border, he adds, "I think the United States of America needs to make it clear that if the attacks by the Houthis continue in the Red Sea that we understand who their patrons are. When Iran attacked a US warship in the 1980s Ronald Reagan ordered and sank half of the Iranian Navy. And I think whether it's Iranian naval vessels or whether it's oil infrastructure, I would hope that the current administration is making clear to Iran that Iran will pay a price if Houthis or any other entities that they support continue to bring attacks against American service members or our interests in the region."
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Pence is the most prominent Republican figure from the US to arrive in Israel since the war began. Donald Trump and the other contenders for the party's presidential nomination are busy with the primaries. Pence, who was Trump's vice president, was also a presidential hopeful but dropped out from the GOP primary race when he realized his chances were slim. Since Thursday he has been here. First, he toured the south and met residents in Kfar Aza and police officers in Sderot. On Friday he was briefed by GOC Northern Command Uri Gordin and had lunch in a soldier's tent in Kibbutz Ayelet Hashachar.
Video: Biden speaks about Netanyahu during / Credit: Reuters
"I'm going to continue to be a very strong voice for Israel's demand that either Hezbollah moves back from the border or Israel makes it clear that they're prepared to confront them. No one wants to see a wider conflict. I have long embraced the principle of the 40th president of the United States [Reagan] that peace comes through strength, and the presence of two aircraft battle groups in the region, a clear message to Hezbollah and more importantly, to Tehran, that, should there be any effort to widen this conflict against Israel that the United States will stand shoulder to shoulder with our most cherished ally is the only message that should be conveyed right now."
Q: After all you've seen in the south, what do you think should and can be done with Gaza the day after the war? The government is talking about a renewed Palestinian Authority. Some have suggested an international force.
"I think all discussion of the aftermath has to happen after the defeat, and ultimately, the ending of the threat of Hamas. And with regard to governance afterward, I must tell you, I'm still waiting for the Palestinian Authority to condemn what happened on October 7. You know, I have met with leaders of the PA in different capacities when I was vice president, when I was a member of Congress. But this is a moment where the Palestinian Authority ought to be stepping up and making it clear that they condemn in no uncertain terms, the brutality, the aftermath of which I witnessed yesterday.
Q: There is very high appreciation in Israel for the tremendous support of the Biden administration. At the same time, the demand to bring in a lot of fuel and humanitarian supplies to Gaza helps Hamas and prolongs the war.
"I would say first, that I am concerned that while the material support from the United States has been consistent, the Biden administration has continued to send signals pressuring Israel to move to a different phase of the war, giving a platform for calls for a ceasefire. And I hope my presence here is evidence that whatever signals are coming out of the State Department, the Biden administration, the American people stand with Israel. And the overwhelming majority of the American people understand that this horrific terrorist attack, the worst attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust, must be met with the complete destruction of Hamas, and its capacity to to ever threaten the people of Israel.
"People need to be reminded there was a ceasefire on October 6. And then 3000 terrorists, as I learned in great detail in a briefing and Sderot yesterday, surged through that border, with the purpose of killing Jews and but for the courage of police officers, many of whom I had the privilege of meeting yesterday, would have marched to Tel Aviv they would have marched to Jerusalem. Their intention, as I learned yesterday, was to launch an assault on all of Israel claiming lives across all of Israel."
Q: And regarding the pressure for humanitarian assistance?
"I regret the loss of any innocent human life. And, you know, some of the heartbreaking scenes of innocent civilians in Gaza have touched my heart. But I see them as victims of Hamas. I see Israel making every effort in the early days of the war to make it possible for civilians to vacate the northern areas of Gaza. And I also see scenes where humanitarian aid is coming across the border, and immediately being captured by Hamas soldiers at gunpoint. So I have a heart for people who are suffering on both sides of the border. And, and I want to, I want to continue to be a voice for that. But I think all discussion of the aftermath, actually happen after the defeat, and ultimately, the ending the threat of Hamas"
Pence was expected to end his visit on Sunday and return to the US.
"I've followed developments very closely. But there's no substitute for walking the streets of Sderot. There's no substitute for walking through the Kfar Aza. I must must tell you that as I laid my head to sleep last night, my thoughts were, were filled with grief and anger about what I witnessed, and it only steeled my determination to be a voice to support Israel, doing what needs to be done to eliminate the threat of Hamas once and for all," he concludes.
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