Nikki Haley, former US presidential candidate, photographed writing “Finish them off” on an Israeli shell

She was taking part in a trip to northern Israel, alongside Israeli MP Danny Danon.

The photograph sparked heated comments. Former Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley is seen writing “Finish them off” on an Israeli shell, while traveling near the Lebanese border. The photo was published on Tuesday May 28 by an Israeli MP, Danny Danon, who accompanied him on this trip. The former Republican candidate is kneeling in front of a projectile, marker in hand, writing these words, also accompanied by a line: “America loves Israel”.

Finish them!

היום חברתי במוצב של תותחנים בגבול הצפון.

הגיע הזמן לשינוי משוואה – תושבי צור וצידון יתפנו, תושבי הצפון יחזרו.

צה”ל יכול לנצח! pic.twitter.com/qvLNCXPl7o

— Danny Danon 🇮🇱 דני דנון (@dannydanon) May 28, 2024

Nikki Haley left the race for the White House in March, after a clear defeat against Donald Trump during the Republican primaries. She did not specify to whom the note “THE” referred, but Danny Danon indirectly suggested Lebanese Hezbollah. “Israel must take the initiative and change the situation. The people of Tire and Sidon [villes libanaises] will evacuate their homes, and the inhabitants of the north [d’Israël] will return home”wrote Danny Danon, in reference to Israelis living near the border and displaced by the almost daily exchanges of fire with Lebanese Hezbollah.

The publication of this photo nevertheless comes as a Sunday bombing by the Israeli army on a displaced persons camp in Rafah left 45 dead and sparked a global wave of indignation. In the United States, criticism particularly targets President Joe Biden, who has offered Israel almost unconditional support, while occasionally criticizing the way in which the Israeli army carries out its operations in Gaza. The White House said it still did not see any“major land operation” against Rafah and that there would be “no change in policy” American support for Israel.