Republican Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota has been a devoted advocate for Israel, prioritizing its military needs while receiving $177,950 in campaign contributions from AIPAC. This financial backing aligns with his unwavering support for Israel’s ongoing military operations, despite their devastating consequences on Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. Since October 2023, Israel’s relentless bombardment of Gaza has led to widespread destruction. More than half of Gaza's homes have been damaged, 80% of commercial facilities destroyed, and 85% of school buildings obliterated. Gaza’s health system is also in ruins, leaving untold numbers of dead, as hospitals struggle to function, and essential infrastructure, including 65% of road networks and croplands, lies in tatters. Despite these atrocities, Senator Rounds continues to support pro-Israel legislation without regard for these dire consequences.
In April 2024, Rounds justified his vote to send Israel $31.6 billion in military aid, portraying Israel as a victim of "unprovoked attacks on their homeland" while conveniently ignoring the colonial roots of Israel’s brutal occupation of Palestine since 1948. He framed his stance as part of the U.S.’s "leadership role in the world," which translates into arming Israel even as its actions fuel a genocide.
In May 2024, Rounds doubled down on his support, criticizing President Biden for briefly halting arms sales to Israel. In an interview, he insisted that Israel should be allowed to conduct its war without U.S. interference, going so far as to suggest that Biden’s actions emboldened Hamas. Rounds’ callous disregard for the Palestinian lives caught in Israel’s genocidal campaign is evident in his endorsement of unrestrained military support, ignoring the deaths of over 5,700 Palestinians in the West Bank and the ongoing land grabs by Israeli settlers. His political career is fueled by AIPAC dollars, and his voting record reflects a willingness to support Israel’s military actions at any cost.
Related Links
Counting the dead in Gaza: difficult but essential, The Lancet, July 2024
Gaza infrastructure damages estimated at $18.5bn in UN-World Bank report, Al Jazeera News, April 2024
Rounds Joins Supermajority in Passing Supplemental Appropriations Bill For Ukraine, Israel and Indo-Pacific, Mike Rounds Gov., April 2024
Rounds Joins Varney & Co. to Discuss Pres. Biden Halt on Weapons to Israel, Mike Rounds Gov., May 2024
