Former Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley sparked controversy during a recent visit to Israel when she wrote “Finish Them!” on an Israeli artillery shell amid the ongoing assault on Gaza. The images of Haley crouched in front of pallets of shells, with her message scrawled on one, were shared on social media by Israeli politician Danny Danon.
Accompanied by Danon, Haley, a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations under the Trump administration, visited Israel over the weekend. The message she left on the artillery shell, “Finish them – America [HEART] Israel, Always,” drew swift criticism from human rights groups.
Amnesty International condemned Haley’s actions, stating that conflict is no place for stunts and that civilians must be protected. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, prompting global leaders to call for an end to the violence.
Israel’s offensive in Gaza’s Rafah has been particularly deadly, with an airstrike on a tent camp killing at least 45 people. The World Court recently ordered Israel to halt its military assault on Rafah, following accusations of genocide by South Africa.
Haley’s vocal support for Israel has further divided U.S. lawmakers and sparked protests across the country. The death toll in Gaza continues to rise, with widespread hunger and displacement affecting the population. Israel claims its actions are in self-defense against attacks by the militant group Hamas.
As the international community calls for an end to the violence, Haley’s controversial message on the artillery shell has reignited debate over the conflict in the region.