Casey DeSantis responds to Netanyahu letter urging Jill Biden speak out on hostages in Gaza

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis demanded the “immediate” release of hostages held by Hamas in response to a letter sent to U.S. First Lady Jill Biden by Sara Netanyahu, wife of Israel’s prime minister.

“We must speak out on behalf of these children [taken by Hamas],” Netanyahu told the U.S. first lady. “We must call for the immediate release of them and all those being held.”

“This nightmare that began over a month ago must end,” she said. “These children need our help.”

DeSantis responded, scathing the fact that Netanyahu felt the urgency to request action from the U.S.

“Shouldn’t even have to ask for this to be said, and it can’t be said loud enough,” DeSantis said. “Hamas must release every single hostage immediately, lay down their weapons, and unequivocally surrender.”

“Release all hostages NOW!” she said.

DeSantis also issued a statement on the war in Israel Thursday, slamming the Biden administration for allowing the U.N. Security Council call for “humanitarian pauses” in a 12-0 vote.

“That Joe Biden doesn’t have the moral conscience to have his Ambassador to the UN veto this nonsense that doesn’t even condemn Hamas while he is dining with Xi in San Francisco shows you who he seeks to placate,” the governor said. “This ends in my admin.”

“We will unequivocally support Israel, take names, make it clear those countries who are hostile to Israel risk their relations with us, and defund the UN,” he said. “No longer should American taxpayer dollars support this corrupt, morally bankrupt, hotbed of antisemitism that empowers our enemies and coddles dictators and the worst human rights abusers.”

The war in Israel has raged into its second month after beginning on Oct. 7 with brutal terror attacks on Israelis.

DeSantis has continued to speak out on the war and recently signed a slew of legislation aimed at expressing support for Israel.

This week, the governor signed a new bill into law that heightens sanctions targeting Iran.

The bill was sponsored by Rep. John Snyder, R-Stuart, in the House and Sen. Bryan Avila, R-Hialeah Gardens, in the Senate.

He also signed a measure to increase Jewish day school security.

Rep. Randy Fine, R-Melbourne Beach, sponsored that bill and argued favorably for it on the House floor. The Senate companion was sponsored by Sen. Alexis Calatayud, R-Miami.

Both were passed during a recent special session.